Shikras are small birds of prey that belong to the Accipiter genus, but they do not typically eat hawks. Shikras are known to have a varied diet that includes rodents, small birds, reptiles, and insects, but they are not known to actively hunt and consume larger birds of prey like hawks.

What Do Shikras Eat?

Shikras are carnivorous birds and their diet consists of a variety of small prey:

• Rodents, such as squirrels and bats
• Small birds, including their eggs and nestlings
• Small reptiles, mainly lizards and sometimes small snakes
• Insects

Shikras are agile hunters and use their sharp talons and hooked beaks to capture and tear apart their prey. They are typically seen hunting alone or in pairs, soaring high in the sky and swooping down to catch their unsuspecting victims.

Hunting Behavior of Shikras

Image source: ShiKRA by Suvendu suvo

Shikras are diurnal birds, meaning they are active during the day. They spend their daylight hours flying high in the sky, searching for prey. Their flight is characterized by a series of flaps and glides, which allows them to cover a large area efficiently.

When a shikra spots potential prey, it will stoop or dive down rapidly to catch the animal. Shikras are known for their quick reflexes and agility, which makes them skilled hunters. They use their sharp talons to grasp their prey and their hooked beak to tear it apart.

Relationship Between Shikras and Hawks

While shikras and hawks are both birds of prey, they belong to different genera within the Accipitridae family. Hawks, such as the red-tailed hawk or the Cooper’s hawk, are generally larger and more powerful birds than shikras.

Shikras are not known to actively hunt or consume hawks. In fact, the presence of a hawk may elicit alarm calls from smaller birds, including shikras, as they perceive the larger bird as a potential threat to their own safety and that of their young.

Conservation Status of Shikras

Shikras are not currently facing any major threats to their population. However, habitat degradation and loss, as well as the use of insecticides, can pose potential threats to these birds in the future.

Shikras are widely distributed across Asia and Africa, and their populations are generally stable. They are classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Conclusion

In summary, shikras are small birds of prey that do not typically eat hawks. Their diet consists of a variety of smaller prey, including rodents, small birds, reptiles, and insects. Shikras are skilled hunters, using their agility and sharp talons to capture their prey. While shikras and hawks are both birds of prey, they belong to different genera and do not have a predatory relationship.

References:
– Quora – Is the shikra bird a type of hawk? https://www.quora.com/Is-the-shikra-bird-a-type-of-hawk
– The Hindu – The Shikra is a bird that embodies brains and bravery https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/the-shikra-is-a-bird-that-embodies-brains-and-bravery/article30533788.ece
– Animalia.bio – Shikra https://animalia.bio/shikra?property=145
– Peregrine Fund – Shikra https://peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/hawks/shikra
– Wikipedia – Shikra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikra