Black Baza

Overview

The black baza (Aviceda leuphotes) is a small bird of prey found in the forests of Northeast India, the eastern Himalayas, China, and Southeast Asia. Many populations are migratory, including those in the Indian region, which winter in the south of the Peninsula and Sri Lanka.

Identification

• Small raptor measuring 30 to 35 cm in length with a wingspan of 66 to 80 cm and a weight of 168 to 224 g.
• Features short, stout legs and feet with strong talons, and a prominent upright crest that makes it difficult to misidentify when perched.
• Males have white scapulars, secondary coverts, and secondaries, while females have white only on the scapulars and more chestnut bands on the underside.
• Call is described as a "chu-weep" similar to the large cuckoo-shrike, or as a soft squeal, whistle, and shrill gull-like mewing.

Habitat

Found in dense forest, often in small groups, and can often be found perched on bare branches of tall trees rising above the forest canopy. The species is found in Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia, with migratory birds potentially establishing themselves as residents in places like Hong Kong.

Diet

Feeds mainly on insects by making aerial sallies or picking them off leaves, with the insects always seized with their feet. They have been observed attempting to capture small birds such as wagtails by making dashes into flocks and have been known to feed on the fruits of the oil palm.

Did you know?

The birds are said to have a disagreeable odour which has been described as "bug-like".