A Raptor, a Runner and a Ringside Witness !

Shikra?

For the uninitiated, it is a raptor, a small bird of prey. Just 10-12 inches long. Clawed talons. Sharp eyesight. Wide wingspan for its size. Feeds on rodents, squirrels, lizards, small birds and insects in the fields and lakesides. Perches on tree tops or electric poles. Flight is typical flaps-and-glides (that is how I could identify from a distance).

Mongoose

We all know. It is called the Indian Grey Mongoose. Inhabits open forests, scrublands and cultivated fields. Lives in burrows and takes shelter under rocks or bushes. Its prey includes rodents, snakes, birds' eggs and hatchlings, lizards. It is known to fight snakes. In Hindi it is called 'Neola' नेवला .

What is the connection between a shikra and a mongoose?

And that is why this story.

During a recent morning walk on the promenade by the lake in our neighbourhood, I saw a bird glide and swoop down along the path. At the same time a mongoose ran across. It appeared that the bird had spotted the mongoose and wanted to hunt it. That is why it kind of dived. But the mongoose ran for his life into the bushes across the pathway. We in the Navy know that engaging a crossing aerial target is the most difficult. And that is precisely what happened. The crossing relative velocity was too fast for the shikra to maneuver and hunt its prey. I had not carried my camera or cellphone. My memory was the only camera to record this front-row seat of a unique aerial ambush! Following illustration created from my memory.

Mongoose are known to fight its predators like the snakes on ground. They tire out the snakes by acrobatically avoiding  multiple attacks by the snake. Their hair also stand up and act as a shield against the fangs. So why did this mongoose run away?

On returning, a quick AI-search over multiple prompts confirmed and/or revealed the following:

• Both shikra and mongoose inhabit the lakeside in Yapral Secunderabad
• Mongoose do not put up a fight against an aerial attack for fear of being gripped by the crushing talons.
• The mongoose sighted by me and being hunted by shikra was a juvenile. Why?
• The size and colouration of the mongoose that I had sighted. The juvenile is smaller in length with its tail not as bushy.

Shikra and mongoose- it was a ring-side view of an aerial attack by the shikra and a successful defence by the mongoose. Once again, Nature continues to amaze and reward you provided you have the patience to observe. 

We close with the famous "stand and stare" quote which comes from the opening lines of the 1911 poem "Leisure" by Welsh poet W. H. Davies shared below:

"What is this life if, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?"

Hope you enjoyed browsing the 'live' encounter sans a picture or a video. But there is no better camera than our brain!

Thanks for browsing. Do leave a comment and stay connected.

   - Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 28th October 2026

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