The shikra is a small pale raptor with rounded wings and golden irises (adult bird length approximately 31 cm, weight 192 g, wing 20.8 cm, bill 2.2 cm, tarsus 5.2 cm, tail 15.6 cm). The male is smaller than the female. The male looks pale grey from above and pale brownish-orange from below. It feeds on lizards, frogs, dragonflies, small birds and mammals.