Crested Hawk (Pacific Baza)
Posted: 12 Oct 2015, 09:09
I recently noticed a pair of Crested Hawks mating in the bush immediately behind my aviaries. They are now building a nest in the same tree which a pair of Grey Goshawks nested up until a couple of years ago - In mistletoe clumps within a tallowwood tree about 20m from the aviaries.
These hawks (bazas) are stunningly beautiful birds with bright yellow eyes, striped fronts & neat crests.
Years ago at my parents place, a pair of Crested Hawks were relentlessly trying to get the birds in our then holding aviary. We were determined to stop them but didn't want to take any lethal options as they were such beautiful birds, so we hung large prawn nets over the front of the aviary.
At the time I didn't know much about them so did some research & found that they have a strong preference for green-coloured prey (Frogs, cicadas, stick insects, praying mantids, etc.) Their attacks on our holding aviary then made sense as it was full of very green Blue-faced PFs at the time.
These hawks (bazas) are stunningly beautiful birds with bright yellow eyes, striped fronts & neat crests.
Years ago at my parents place, a pair of Crested Hawks were relentlessly trying to get the birds in our then holding aviary. We were determined to stop them but didn't want to take any lethal options as they were such beautiful birds, so we hung large prawn nets over the front of the aviary.
At the time I didn't know much about them so did some research & found that they have a strong preference for green-coloured prey (Frogs, cicadas, stick insects, praying mantids, etc.) Their attacks on our holding aviary then made sense as it was full of very green Blue-faced PFs at the time.