Coimbatore: The Shaheen falcon, the national bird of Pakistan has been nesting in the Nilgiri Shola Forest, near here, as recorded by the Nilgiri Ornithologist and Conservation Society Recently, Vijay Krishnaraj, executive committee member of Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association (NWEA) has recorded the presence of Shaheen falcon in Manjur area in Shola forest range.
He told DC that Shaheen falcon is an endangered species and is Pakistan’s national bird. The Peregrine falcon is the non-migratory species, whereas the Shaheen falcon is the migratory sub-species found mainly in Indian sub-continent. This bird which resembles an eagle is also called Indian Peregrine falcon, Black Shaheen falcon, Indian Shaheen or the Pakistani Shaheen.
The size of the male bird is similar to a crow but the female is larger. The length of the bird ranges between 380 and 440 mm. Shaheen is a small and powerful hunting bird with blackish upper parts, rufous under part with fine dark streaked breasts coated in golden colour. The throat of the bird is collared white.
The Pakistani bird migrates to Sri Lanka during winter and is also found in Bangladesh, Myanmar and China. Sightings of Shaheen has also been recorded in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.
The shaheen is usualy seen in pairs on cliffs and rock pinnacles. It is adapted to catching its prey in the air and can achieve a speed of 240 kmph in level flight. When diving after prey it can exceed a speed of 320 kmph. Shaheen mostly hunt small birds like pigeons, parrots and sparrows. The bird occupies nests on high cliff ledges or in rock holes. It breeds during the month of December and April. They lay 3-4 eggs at a time.
