Pacific Baza

Pacific Baza
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Accipitriformes
Family:	Accipitridae
Genus:	Aviceda
Species:	A. subcristata
Binomial name
Aviceda subcristata (Gould, 1838)
Distribution of the Pacific Baza, Subspecies Separated by Lines

The Pacific Baza, Aviceda subcristata, also known as the Crested Hawk, is a slender, medium-sized hawk with a distinctive crest. Its upperside is mainly dark brown, with a grey head and yellow eyes. It is conspicuously barred white and dark brown on the breast and on the underside of the tail and flight feathers. Females are slightly larger than males. It is found in coastal and subcoastal areas of northern and eastern Australia, Wallacea, New Guinea and adjacent islands.

Hunting and Prey

The Pacific Baza has a distinctive hunting behaviour. When potential food is spotted in the treetops from above, the Pacific Baza lifts its wings into a distinctive Vee shape and dives briskly into the canopy to devour its prey.

It feeds on stick insects (especially when breeding) as well as other large insects, tree frogs, lizards, small birds and fruit. It nests high in forest and woodland trees, with a clutch size of 2-4.

Immature, Kobble Ck, SE Queensland, Australia

References

• BirdLife International (2006) Species factsheet: Aviceda subcristata. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 15 November 2006
• Marchant, S.; & Higgins, P.J. (Eds). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol,2: Raptors to Lapwings. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. ISBN 0-19-553069-1