The Shikra (Accipiter badius) also called the Little Banded Goshawk, the Indian Sparrowhawk, and Little Banded Sparrowhawk is a small, but powerful predator. It is a member of the Family Acciopitridae, which includes eagles, hawks, kites, and osprey. The Shikra has six subspecies ranging primarily from India to Africa.

Is shikra legal in India?

Great courage, coupled with intellect as a hunter, making it one of the easiest to train and tame (this is illegal now), made the Shikra the most common bird used in the art of falconry across the country in pre-independence times.

What does the word shikra mean?

: a small Indian hawk (Accipiter badius) sometimes used in falconry.