Pacific Baza

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Aviceda subcristata

Description

The Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata) or Crested Hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey from the hawk family (Accipitridae).  It's most notable feature is the prominent crest on the rear of its neck.  They have dark bands on their chest plumage, with bulbous yellow eyes.

Pacific Baza make their nest in tall trees using a loose collection of sticks.  Female Pacific Baza are heavier than the males, and lay 2-4 eggs in spring.​

Pacific Baza are widely distributed along much of the east coast of Australia, north of Sydney.  Their range includes the northern coast of Australia and into the northern coastal region of Western Australia.

Adaptations

• A combination of acute eyesight and sharp claws enable them to catch small prey items hidden deep in the folage of trees.

Feeding relationships

• What I eat: large insects, frogs, lizards, snakes, small birds, occasionally fruit​
  
• What eats me: eagles, hawks, large pythons, feral cats
  

Interesting facts

In latin, the genus name, Aviceda, means "bird-killer".  The specific name, subcristata, translates to "crested" referring to the crest on the back of its neck.