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This footage captures a shikra hawk (Accipiter badius) perched calmly on a tree branch beside a natural water hole, offering a rare and intimate look into its behavior in the wild. The shikra, a small but agile bird of prey commonly found across the Indian subcontinent, can be seen observing its surroundings before descending to the water to take a brief but refreshing dip. Such bathing behavior plays an important role in feather maintenance, thermoregulation, and parasite control in raptors. Shikras inhabit open woodlands, forest edges, agricultural landscapes, and urban green spaces, where water sources like ponds and seasonal water holes are vital for survival, especially during warmer months. This interaction with the water highlights the importance of preserving small freshwater habit
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