Common name: Shikra
Scientific name: Accipiter badius
Family: Accipitridae

Size:
Body length: 25–44 cm
Wingspan: 48–68 cm
Weight: males 100–193 g, females 130–266 g

Identification:
A small, compact hawk with short rounded wings and a relatively long tail. Adult males are grey above with fine reddish barring on the underparts and red-orange eyes, while females are browner and generally larger. Juveniles are brown above with streaked underparts. It has a prominent tomial tooth on the upper bill, used to help dispatch prey.

Habitat:
Open woodland, wooded wadis, thickets, plantations, parks, gardens, and other areas with scattered trees. It often hunts from concealed perches within vegetation and is frequently associated with greener habitats and areas near water.

Status in the UAE:
A native resident and breeding raptor in the UAE, occurring mainly in suitable wooded and cultivated habitats. It may also be encountered outside breeding areas during local movements.

Diet:
Feeds mainly on small reptiles, especially lizards, geckos and skinks, as well as small birds, rodents, bats, frogs, and large insects.

Behavior:
A secretive and highly agile hunter. It often waits concealed on a perch before making a short, fast and powerful dash at prey on the ground or in nearby vegetation. It is usually solitary or seen in pairs and is primarily active during the day.

Conservation Status:
Global: Least Concern (LC)
UAE National Red List: Vulnerable (VU), criterion D1