Abstract:

I observed the nesting of a Shikra Accipiter badius pair, from the nest building phase to the fledging of their three chicks. I report detailed observations on the roles of the sexes during nesting, prey species brought back to the nest, and interactions with other species (mainly threats) during this period. Both sexes incubated the eggs, but the male’s contribution was less than 10%.

The female guarded the nest from intruders, and actively called out to her partner when a threat was serious.The male brought 66% of the prey to the nest, while the female, 33%. Lizard species (mainly Garden Lizard Calotes versicolor) comprised their main prey.