Shikra in my Front Yard

A Shikra spots a possible breakfast early in the morning

Gurugram or Gurgaon as it was earlier known, is a conundrum, a Biodiversity hotspot a treasure trove for scientists who want to study the human-animal conflict in close detail. This erstwhile sleepy town has undergone a drastic change in the years gone by, Rapid development, conversion of forests, farmlands and even wetlands into residential sectors has played havoc with the natural habitats of wildlife that once used to thrive in this city. Gone are the sparrows, and so are the numerous other birds native to the town. It is surprising, in this context, therefore, to spot White-breasted Kingfishers, Hornbills, and even  Shikras.

A Shikra looks at me in the eye

It came as a pleasant surprise to spot one sitting on a streetlight pole on the road in front of my house recently. And even more surprising was to spot a White-breasted Kingfisher diving on it to attack it. But what was even more surprising was to see it alight on the boundary wall a few feet away to stare at me in the eye in the morning at about 7:20 a.m. today. It seems as if some of the wild birds in Gurugram have become accustomed to living in close proximity of human beings! The presence of a Shikra in a densely populated Urban area rather than a place with vegetation speaks volumes about how this bird has adapted to life in the city. This means that this particular species of bird has probably taken to scavenging for food rather than hunting for prey. The presence of Kingfishers and Shikras in Gurgaon indicates that these birds of prey have changed their feeding habits. A shift from hunting to scavenging clearly shows how human development activities in cities have affected the nature of birds such as these two birds.

A Shikra against the backdrop a  moving bus early morning

 

The Shikra, a small bird of prey, widely distributed in Africa and Asia, is also known as the little banded goshawk. The Shikra is an adaptable bird that is at home in farmlands, forests and urban areas. While they are known to be birds of prey, they are also known to resort to scavenging and feeding on carrion. In earlier times, the Shikra was a  favourite among the falconers of India and Pakistan. It was easily trained to acquire food for more prized Falcons. The Shikra is known for its prowess and courage in attacking larger birds, crows, peafowl and partridges.

A Shikra looks at the camera lens with curiosity