Turkestan Shikra
Status: VI category Near Threatened, NT: R. One of ten species of the genus in the avifauna of the Kyrgyz Republic, inhabiting the subspecies Accipiter badius cenchroides (Severtzov, 1873).
Distribution overall and in the country. Central and South Asia from the Aral Sea, the valleys of the Sumbara, Talish, and Fars to the east to Guangxi and the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula. To the north to the Syr Darya valley, Karatal, Ili, Balkhash, the southern slope of the Himalayas, Yunnan, Guangxi. To the south to Northern Yemen, Fars, Pakistan, including India and Bangladesh, eastward to the southern oceanic coast of South Asia and further including Myanmar. Africa south of the Sahara, southwestern Arabia. Islands: Sri Lanka, Nicobar Islands, Hainan [7, 15, 19, 20, 43]. In the Kyrgyz Republic, it probably nests sporadically in the Pre-Fergana region, preferring cultivated landscape areas, rare during migration and nesting in the northern part, does not ascend high into the mountains [2, 7, 41]. Found nesting in the Chui Valley [95].
Habitat. Flat, low- and mid-mountain landscape areas, slightly wooded; savannas with forest slopes, often in agricultural zones [2, 15].
Population. Current data on population numbers are lacking. Until 1930, D.P. Dementiev received a series of Shikra skins obtained in summer around the city of Osh [2].
Life style (life cycles). The female is larger than the male. Favorite hunting spot is a group of tall trees near settlements and agricultural lands. Peering out from the foliage, it dives down before the prey notices danger. Hunts for lizards, small rodents, and birds, feeding chicks, it may steal chicks from farms. Builds nests in tree crowns, laying 3 to 4 eggs, pale blue, sometimes with gray speckles. Both male and female care for the offspring, but apparently only the female incubates the eggs [19].
Limiting factors. Increasing economic pressure on suitable nesting habitats, winter tree felling, illegal trapping, and shooting.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not kept in captivity in the Kyrgyz Republic. There may be cases of Shikras being used as hunting birds by local residents in their habitats.
Existing conservation measures. No special measures have been taken to protect the Shikra.
Recommended conservation measures. Nesting sites of this species in cultivated landscapes need to be protected from illegal felling in winter, consider a compensation system for farmers for damage to poultry during nesting time. It is necessary to identify nesting sites in the Fergana Valley, map the identified nests, and conduct monitoring of the annual population dynamics of this species.
Shikra
Shikra
Accipiter badius (J.F. Gmelin, 1788), ssp. cenchroides (Severtzov, 1873)
Status: VI category, Near Threatened, NT: R. Most probably nests sporadically in Fergana Valley in the plains and lowlands, prefers cultivated landscape. Very rare during migrating and nesting period in the north of the country. No data on numbers available. In the 30s, Dr. Dementiev D.P. received a series of Shikra’s skins obtained in summer time in Fergana Valley. Likes groves of large trees in the neighborhood of villages and cultivation. Hunts after lizards, small rodents, and birds. Can be a chicken lifter from the farms. Nest is an untidy loose platform of twigs in the tree. Lays 3-4 eggs. Both sexes share domestic duties. Limiting factors are increased human impact on suitable habitats, felling trees in winter, illegal captivity, and game shooting. Probably, Shikra is used for hunting purposes in the south. No special conservation measures are undertaken so far. It is recommended to prohibit felling suitable for nesting trees in winter time, think about compensation mechanisms to farmers, whose poultry farm is affected by Shikra, and map found nests.
