Races:
Accipiter badius cenchroides Severtzov, 1873

Synonyms

Accipiter badius chorassanicus Heptner et Stachanov, 1930

Description

Rare breeding migrant. Inhabits riparian forests in deserts with clearings and shrubs. Appears late; mid - end April. Latest birds recorded first decade May at Chokpak Pass. Nest is built in Russian olive, elm, Asiatic poplar or apricot 2.5-12 m above ground, from dry twigs, lined with dry leaves and bark. Clutches of 2-7, usually 3-4 eggs second half May – early June but repeat clutches recorded early August. Both parents incubate from first egg for 30-35 days; mainly female, which is fed by male. Chicks hatch from end June. Both parents feed juveniles, which fledge mid-end July. Autumn migration begins mid-August; most birds migrate end August – early September. At Chokpak Pass, last Shikra caught 20 October 1988.

Distribution

Nests in Syrdarya, Ile, Karatal and probably Lepsy valleys. A nest with eggs found by E.Auezov and A.Grachev 15 June 1972 in lower reaches of Tentek river. Seen on migration in southern and south-eastern Kazakhstan.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005
Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999.