| Shikra | |
|---|---|
| |
| Adult female (dussumieri) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Accipitriformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Tachyspiza |
| Species: | T. badia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tachyspiza badia (Gmelin, JF, 1788)
| |
| Subspecies | |
| |
| Range of A. badius Breeding Resident Non-breeding
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Astur badius | |
The shikra (Tachyspiza badia) is a small bird of prey in the family Accipitridae found widely distributed in Asia and Africa where it is also called the little banded goshawk. The African forms may represent a separate species but have usually been considered as subspecies of the shikra. The shikra is very similar in appearance, as well as behavior, at least to some degree, to other species including the Chinese sparrowhawk (Accipiter soloensis), Eurasian goshawk (Astur gentilis) and Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus). They have a sharp two note call and have the typical flap and glide flight. Their calls are imitated by drongos and the common hawk-cuckoo resembles it in plumage. This species was formerly placed in the genus Accipiter.
- ^ BirdLife International (2019). "Accipiter badius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T22695490A155445348. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22695490A155445348.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.