Pacific Baza

1. Small, dark crest on the back of a grey head with large yellow eyes

2. Broad, paddle-shaped wings with a unique narrowing near the body

3. Rufous colouring on thighs and undertail, with bold barring on the underparts

Pacific Bazas are omnivorous, feeding mainly on large insects such as stick insects and cicadas, but also taking tree frogs, lizards, small birds, and fruit. Their hunting style is distinctive, they launch themselves feet-first into dense foliage to snatch prey. Breeding occurs from September to February in Australia. Nests are flimsy platforms of sticks lined with green leaves, placed high in tree canopies. Females lay 1–4 eggs per clutch, and both parents share incubation duties, alternating every 1.5 hours. The incubation period lasts about 29–32 days, and chicks fledge after roughly 34 days.

Pacific Bazas inhabit well-watered forests, woodlands, rainforests, and the edges of these habitats, rarely venturing more than 400 km from the Australian coast. They are most common in northern and eastern Australia, often seen in the canopy or along forest edges, and have adapted well to suburban areas with mature trees. Look for them gliding between tree crowns or perched quietly, especially in parks and gardens with dense foliage.

The Pacific Baza is native to Australia and extends throughout parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Also known as the Crested Hawk or Pacific Cuckoo-Falcon, this specialized canopy hunter represents the remarkable diversity of Australia's raptor species adapted to different ecological niches.