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Name: Black Baza
Scientific name: (Aviceda leuphotes)
Malay name: Helang Baza
Description:
33cm (13in). Small black and white raptor with long erectile crest diagnostic. When perched, shows maroon patch on secondaries; perceivable at close range. Wings broad and rounded. In underwing flight patterns, shows black wing coverts, wingtips, and undertail coverts which contrast with grey feathers and tail together with white breast band whitish underparts, marked with narrow rufous bars.
Voice:
A rather airy, weak disyllabic or trisyllabic scream.
Range:
Breeding in India, China, Myanmar and northern Thailand; wintering south to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia and Sumatra/Java.
Status and distribution:
Common in large numbers at Tanjung Tuan (Melaka) during autumn (October/November) and spring passage (February-April). Unlike most other species, they often gather in flocks before making the crossing, and travel in tight groups across the ocean.
Habitat:
Forests, the forest edge, plantations, heavily wooded areas.
Habits:
Usually in small loose groups, frequenting the canopy and crowns of tall trees. Sometimes sits on open perches. Flight pattern distinctive, consisting of short crow-like flaps interspersed with glides; the wings are usually held flat. Migrates in large compact flocks, soaring high on rising thermals. Often roosts in groups and sleep close together. Eats insects, small vertebrates and even small birds.
Interesting Facts:
The Black Baza is a raptor the size of a crow. It has a distinct crest, which is often erected while perched. A contrasting white and rust coloured barring on its chest against the black of the body feather makes it easily identifiable.
The Black Baza normally consumes beetles but also consumes other animals such as bats, small mammals, lizards, other birds and tree frogs. Although it occasionally catches small birds, they are not generally alarmed by its presence. The Black Bazas hunt at sunrise and sunset. They roosts in large groups of up to twenty-five, in a tight mass in the centre of a tree.
The Black Baza breeds in the lower Himalayas from Nepal to Szechwan and southern China. It typically spends the winter in southern India, Sri Lanka, and parts of Malaysia and Thailand. Avoiding open country and rainforest, its preferred habitat is drier seasonal forest. Though migrants into Malaysia do not look for these habitats.
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