Shikra and owls are both birds of prey, but they belong to different families and have distinct characteristics. While shikras are agile hunters that pursue their prey in flight, owls are ambush predators that rely on their excellent hearing and night vision to locate and capture their targets.
Understanding the Shikra
The shikra, also known as the little banded goshawk, is a species of hawk that belongs to the Accipitridae family. It is a small bird of prey, with a length of 27-37 cm and a wingspan of 55-72 cm. The shikra has a slender body, short rounded wings, and a long tail. It has a yellow cere and eye-rings, and its upperparts are grey-brown with fine dark bars. The underparts are white with dark bars on the breast and belly.
Shikra Hunting Strategies
Shikras are agile hunters that pursue their prey in flight, using their short wings and long tail to maneuver through dense vegetation. They mainly feed on small birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Shikra Habitat and Distribution
Shikras are found in various parts of Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. They prefer habitats with a mix of open areas and dense vegetation, such as forests, woodlands, and urban areas.
Exploring the Owls
Image source: SHIKRA by Shiv’s fotografia
Owls belong to the Strigiformes order and have a more diverse range of sizes, shapes, and colors. They have large forward-facing eyes, a short hooked beak, and a feathery face surrounding the eyes, known as the facial disc. Owls have specialized feathers for silent flight, allowing them to hunt without being detected by their prey.
Owl Hunting Strategies
Owls are ambush predators that rely on their excellent hearing and night vision to locate and capture their prey. They have a wide range of hunting techniques, from swooping down on their prey from a perch to hovering in mid-air and pouncing on their target. Owls mainly feed on small mammals, birds, and insects.
Owl Habitat and Distribution
Owls can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests and grasslands to urban areas and deserts. They are distributed worldwide, with species found on every continent except Antarctica.
Confrontations Between Shikras and Owls
There have been instances where shikras and owls have been observed in confrontational situations. For example, a Shikra was seen attacking a Mottled Wood Owl, trying to chase it away from its territory. Similarly, a video shows a Shikra and a Pearl-Spotted Owlet in a standoff, with the Shikra trying to assert its dominance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while shikras and owls are both birds of prey, they have distinct differences in their physical characteristics, hunting strategies, and habitats. Shikras are agile hunters that pursue their prey in flight, while owls are ambush predators that rely on their excellent hearing and night vision to locate and capture their prey. Both birds have been observed in confrontational situations, highlighting the competitive nature of the bird world.
References:
- Is the shikra bird a type of hawk? – Quora. https://www.quora.com/Is-the-shikra-bird-a-type-of-hawk
- Indian scoops owl and shikra are ready to fight in wildlife in Pakistan – Dreamstime. https://www.dreamstime.com/indian-scoops-owl-shikra-ready-to-fight-wildlife-pakistan-indian-scoops-owl-shikra-ready-to-fight-image196460189
- A Hyrax, Shikra and Pearl-Spotted Owlet – YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3B0jtxZC-U
- Sparrowhawk, shikra, buzzard, owl with Wildlife Today – YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57NfPFkwwe4
- A Shikra ruffling the feathers of a Mottled Wood Owl | Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/krishnacolor/52849626434
- Little Tough Guys: The World’s Small Raptors | Max Waugh. https://www.maxwaugh.com/2018/08/27/little-tough-guys-the-worlds-small-raptors/
