Shikra-Female

Accipiter badius 30-36cm

Vallooru in Tamil (வல்லூறு)

Widespread resident. Adults paler than Besra and Eurasian Sparrowhawk. Underwing pale, with fine barrings on remiges, and slightly darker wing tips. Male has pale blue grey upperparts, indistinct grey gular stripe, fine brownish orange barring on underparts, unbarred white thighs, and unbarred or only lightly barred central tail feathers. Female has upperparts more brownish grey. Juvenile has pale brown upperparts, more prominent gular stripe, and streaked underparts. Open woods and groves.