Asian Shikra

English Name: Asian Shikra 
Scientific Name: Accipiter badius cenchroides
Arabic Name: بَيْدَقٌ آسيَوِيٌّ
Status in Kuwait: Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.
Highest daily count: 6 on 30/09/2016 at Al-Khuwaisat.

This species is usually seen in October and November, but some can be seen during winter, December through April/May. It can be seen on farms and oases and scarcely in parks. It is common in Al-Abraq in October and early November and in Mula’a Ranch, Tulha Oasis. Also, it has been seen at Al-Shaheed Park, Zour Port, Al-Nuwaiseeb, Abdali Farms, Jahra Pools Reserve, Jahra Farms, Jahra East Outfall, Liyah Reserve, Sabah Al-Ahmad Natural Reserve, and Sulaibiya Pivot Fields.

In the Middle East, there are two races, the Asian race cenchroides and the African race sphenurus. The Asian race is a migrant race that occurs in Kuwait, Iraq, the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Oman. While the African race occurs in South West Arabia (Yemen and Saudi Arabia) as a resident species.