Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Smeenk C. & Smeenk-Enserink N. (1977) Observations on the Shikra Accipiter badius in Nigeria. ARDEA 65 (3-4): 148-164
The Shikra Accipiter badius, the most common sparrowhawk in large parts of Africa, was studied in the Guinea savannah of Pandam, Nigeria, during 1975 and 1976. The study area, consisting of regenerating woodland, harboured 5 pairs on about 6 km2. Though migratory in many parts of West Africa, at Pandam the Shikra was present throughout the year. Breeding occurred at the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rains. In more southern and moister areas of West Africa the average breeding season is earlier, in the more arid north later in the year, in accordance with the progressively later onset of the rains from south to north (Table 1). Display started mid-September, the beginning of the dry season, and consisted of the partners chasing each other from tree to tree, and of soaring and diving in the air. The Shikra was very vociferous during this time and the rest of the reproductive season. From mid-November onwards the ? was fed by the ?, copulation started in the end of November and ceased after egg-laying. Nest-building started late January; all building was done by the ?several nests were constructed before the definitive site was chosen. Eggs were laid between late February and the first half of April; the clutch size was 2 or 3. A new nest was built and a replacement clutch produced after the loss of a clutch. The incubation period lasted 28 days. The chicks .grew rapidly and were fully feathered when 4 weeks old; soon afterwards they left the nest. Only the ? was seen feeding the young, at least during the nestling period. In 19753 chicks were fledged in 1 nest; in 1976 the chicks of 2 nests disappeared. The Shikra is a still hunter; nearly all its prey is caught on the ground. Its main food consists of lizards, with insects, mainly grasshoppers, on the second place and small' birds to a lesser extent. In the food lists based on stomach analyses insects feature more prominently than in those based on field observations only (Table 2). From data obtained in Ivory Coast it appears that the Shikra there breeds when lizards and grasshoppers are most readily available; however, the relations between breeding and migration of the Shikra and the availability of food need to be investigated in different vegetation zones.


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