RAIN

Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata Gould,1838

Status: Lower risk – Population Trend: Unknown.

Other Names: Crested Baza, Crested Hawk, Crested Lizard-hawk, Lizard Hawk, Pacific Cuckoo-falcon, Pacific Lizard-hawk.

Distribution: Australasian/Indomalayan. LESSER SUNDA ISLANDS, MOLUCCA ISLANDS eastward through the SOLOMON ISLANDS, PAPUAN ISLANDS, and NEW GUINEA, and south to northern and eastern AUSTRALIA.

Wallacea: Widespread and moderately common to common resident of the Moluccas and Lesser Sundas and marginally to the southern Sulawesi subregion from sea level to 550 m. Five subspecies occur in Wallacea, and Coates and Bishop (1997) described their ranges, as follows:

A.s. timorlaoensis: Tanahjampea, Bonerate, Tukangbesi Islands (Waingwangi, Keldupa), Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Alor, Sumba, Timor, Babar, Damar, and Tanimbar Islands. A.s. rufa: Morotai, Dagasuli, Halmahera, Ternate, Tidore, Bacan, and Obi Islands. A.s. stresemanni: Buru Island. A.s. reinwardtii: Boano, Seram, Ambon, and Haruku Islands. A.s. pallida: Seram Laur Islands (Manawoka, Gorong), Kai Islands (Kai Kecil, Kai Besar).

Solomon Islands: Resident on Bougainville and Buka Islands (Coates 1985). Fairly common breeding bird throughout the Solomons (Doughty et al. 1999). Common breeding resident (proxima) (Hadden 2004). Resident throughout the Solomons, including Buka, Bougainville, Choiseul, Isabel, New Georgia, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Makira, and smaller islands (Steadman 2006).

Bismarck Archipelago: Widely distributed resident on New Britain, Lolobau, New Ireland, Tabar, and New Hanover and the Admiralties (Manus Island) (Coates 1985). According to Steadman (2006), this species is resident on Dyaul, Lolobau, San Miguel, and Tabar Islands. Gilliard and LeCroy (1967) reported that it was common in the Whiteman Mountains.

New Guinea: Widely distributed resident, often fairly common, on the New Guinea mainland, satellite islands of Irian Jaya (including the Aru Islands), the D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago (Fergusson, Goodenough), and Karkar Island, (Coates 1985). Occurs mostly in the lowlands and hills, less commonly in the lower mountains up to 1,300 m, rarely up to 1,700 m (Tari, Southern Highlands Province) (Coates op cit.).

Hoogerwerf (1970) regarded it as one of the most common birds of prey at Manokwari in the Arfak Mountains of western New Guinea, although it was seldom detected there because of its inconspicuous nature and its preference for forested areas. Diamond (1972) collected two specimens on the lower slope of Mt. Karimui in the Eastern Highlands at 4,100 ft (1,250 m), an unusually high elevation for this species.

New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, and Solomon Island races include:

A.s. stenozana: Western New Guinea and the Aru and Solomon Islands Islands east in the south to the upper Purari River. A.s. megala: D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago and southeastern and northern New Guinea (including Karkar Island) west in the south to the Port Moresby region. A.s. bismarckii: New Britain, New Ireland, and New Hanover. A.s. coultasi: Admiralty Islands. A.s. proxima: Bougainville.

Occurs on Karkar Island from sea level to about 2,300 ft (701 m), where it was more common than on the New Guinea mainland (Diamond and Lecroy 1979). Beehler et al. (1986) gave its range as New Guinea and its satellite islands from sea level to 1,250 m.

Australia: Fairly common resident (subcristata) in coastal and subcoastal lowlands in northern and eastern Australia north of about 30 degrees S (Olsen 1995). Occurs in a coastal band from the Kimberley in northern Western Australia to the central coast of New South Wales, rarely south of Sydney (Debus 1998). It is largely restricted to within about 400 km of the coast and occurs in the east inland to the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range and adjoining plains (Debus op cit.). An immature was recorded in July 2005 at Tibooburra, northwestern South Wales, in atypical arid habitat about 700 km W of the nearest likely breeding population in southern Queensland (Green et al. 2007).

Subspecies: 16 races. A. s. bismarckii: BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO (New Britain, New Ireland, New Hanover); A. s. coultasi: ADMIRALTY ISLAND (Manus); A.s. gurneyi: Southeast SOLOMON ISLANDS; A. s. megala: D’Entrecasteaux Archipelago (Fergusson and Goodenough Islands), Japen Island, and eastern NEW GUINEA; A.s. njikena Northwestern Australia; A. s. obscura: NEW GUINEA (Biak Island); A. s. pallida: Kai Islands, off western NEW GUINEA; A.s. proxima: Northwest SOLOMON ISLANDS (Bougainville, Shortland); A. s. reinwardtii: Central MOLUCCAS (Ambon, Haruku, Ceram); A.s. robusta: Central SOLOMON ISLANDS (Choiseul, Santa Isabel); A. s. rufa: Northern MOLUCCAS (Obi and other northern islands); A. s. stenozona: Western NEW GUINEA, Western Papuan Islands (Misol, Salawati), and Aru Islands; A. s. stresemanni: MOLUCCAS (Buru Island); A. s. subcristata: Coastal northeastern AUSTRALIA; A. s. timorlaoensis: LESSER SUNDAS and islands off SULAWESI; A. s. waigeuensis: Waigeo Island, off western NEW GUINEA.

The differences between the race njikena from northwestern Australia (Condon and Amadon 1954) and subcristata are slight (Debus 1994) and possibly clinal. Debus (1994) recommended merging the Solomon Islands races proxima and robusta with gurneyi. The race timorlaoensis was misspelled as “timorlaensis” by Brown and Amadon (1968) and as “timolauensis” by Debus (1994).

Taxonomy: Forms a superspecies with A. cuculoides, A. jerdoni, and A. madagascariensis (Sibley and Monroe 1990, Mayr and Diamond 2001), and they are sometimes regarded as conspecific. Debus (1998) suggested that this species most closely resembles the African Cuckoo-hawk (A. cuculoides). The species of Aviceda were originally thought to be related to falcons because of their notched bill, but they are probably most closely related to kites. Wink and Sauer-Gürth (2004) found that they constitute an independent lineage clustering near the base of the Accipitridae in the Gypaetus/Neophron assemblage, based on nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.

Movements: Partial migrant and also an altitudinal migrant in some areas (Bildstein 2006). Adults are sedentary, according to Baker-Gabb and Fitzherebert (1989), but juveniles form post-breeding flocks. Birds in southeastern Australia migrate either to the lowlands or northward for the winter before returning in spring (Kaveney 1977, Czechura 1985).

Habitat and Habits: Found at primary forest edges, in clearings, second-growth, and in scrub habitats in lowlands and foothills (Schodde 1968, Coates and Peckover 2001). In Australia, it occurs in tropical and warm temperate forests and woodlands near water (Olsen 1995), in wooded urban habitats (Debus 1998), and suburban gardens in winter (Olsen et al. 1993). Coates (1985) and Coates and Bishop (1997) noted that it perches conspicuously in trees with little or no foliage, often soaring above the canopy, and is less crepuscular and much more conspicuous than other members of the genus. Usually occurs singly, in pairs, or in family groups, rarely to 20 birds (Beehler et al. 1986, Coates and Bishop 1997), but in Australia it forms flocks in September and October on its way from wintering to breeding areas (Olsen 1995).

Solomon Islands: On Guadalcanal, San Cristobal, Ulawa, and possibly Ugi, Cain et al. (1956) found this species in grassland and at the edge of lowland forest and less commonly over broken places in hill and mountain forest.

Bismarck Archipelago: Gilliard and LeCroy (1967) described it in the White Mountains of New Britain as a solitary species of the forest canopy, where it is usually encountered on an exposed perch over a forest glade.

New Guinea: Rand and Gilliard (1967) reported that it was uncommon and found singly or in pairs in a variety of habitats and situations, flying over the forest, or perched in treetops, circling about garden clearings, and second-growth forest or perched in commanding dead trunks there, perched in trees along waterways, and in the savanna. It was recorded circling low over open country like a harrier, and it has been found in mangroves. Schodde (1968) described this species as having “skulking, goshawk-like habits, often seeking the shelter of the middle branches of trees on the margins of clearings.”

At Manokwari in the Arfak Mountains of western New Guinea, Hoogerwerf (1971) found it singly or in pairs in forest, where it was seldom seen. He noted that in habits it more closely resembles cuckoos or cuckoo-shrikes than those of other birds of prey. Beehler (1978) stated that it occurs in forest-edge and gardens up to 1,450 m. On Karkar Island, it was seen perched in the forest crown or soared high; usually seen singly, or in groups of two or three (Diamond and Lecroy 1979). Beehler et al. (1986) described it as occurring singly, in pairs, or occasionally in small aggregations in forest openings, forest edge, and scrub; at higher altitudes it occurs only in dusturbed habitats.

Australia: Olsen et al. (1993) characterized it as unobtrusive in Australia, except during the breeding season. It is usually seen perching quietly among the foliage, and when approached, it hops from branch to branch before flying.

Food and Feeding Behavior: Omnivorous, feeding mainly on foliage insects (grasshoppers, stick insects), caterpillars, and tree-frogs, but also on snakes, lizards, small nestlings and birds, and small fruits (e.g., figs), which are often snatched from foliage (Coates 1985, Coates and Bishop 1997, Debus 1998). Flies quietly from tree to tree high in the canopy or plunges into foliage after insects (Olsen 1995), or captures them in the air (Coates 1985). more….

Solomon Islands: On Guadalcanal, San Cristobal, Ulawa, and possibly Ugi, Cain et al. (1956) found this species in grassland and at the edge of lowland forest and less commonly over broken places in hill and mountain forest.

Bismarck Archipelago: Gilliard and LeCroy (1967) described it in the White Mountains of New Britain as a solitary species of the forest canopy, where it is usually encountered on an exposed perch over a forest glade.

New Guinea: Rand and Gilliard (1967) reported that it was uncommon and found singly or in pairs in a variety of habitats and situations, flying over the forest, or perched in treetops, circling about garden clearings, and second-growth forest or perched in commanding dead trunks there, perched in trees along waterways, and in the savanna. It was recorded circling low over open country like a harrier, and it has been found in mangroves.

Schodde (1968) described this species as having “skulking, goshawk-like habits, often seeking the shelter of the middle branches of trees on the margins of clearings.”

At Manokwari in the Arfak Mountains of western New Guinea, Hoogerwerf (1971) found it singly or in pairs in forest, where it was seldom seen. He noted that in habits it more closely resembles cuckoos or cuckoo-shrikes than those of other birds of prey. Beehler (1978) stated that it occurs in forest-edge and gardens up to 1,450 m.

On Karkar Island, it was seen perched in the forest crown or soared high; usually seen singly, or in groups of two or three (Diamond and Lecroy 1979). Beehler et al. (1986) described it as occurring singly, in pairs, or occasionally in small aggregations in forest openings, forest edge, and scrub; at higher altitudes it occurs only in dusturbed habitats.

Australia: Olsen et al. (1993) characterized it as unobtrusive in Australia, except during the breeding season. It is usually seen perching quietly among the foliage, and when approached, it hops from branch to branch before flying.

Breeding: Breeds solitarily, building a small platform nest of live and dead twigs, lined with green leaves, and placed from 6-35 m above the ground in a well concealed location in a tree canopy (Debus 1998). However, nests may be in trees near human habitations or roads (Olsen et al. 1993). One on New Britain was in a tall coconut palm (Coates 1985). The clutch size is usually 2 or 3 eggs, occasionally 4, the incubation period is 29 days, and the nestling period is 32-35 days (Debus op cit.). Both parents share incubation, brooding, and feeding the chicks, but when the chicks are small, one of the adults stays at the nest while the other hunts (Olsen et al. 1993). more….

Indonesia: This species may breed on Sumba during the dry season (May-November) (Olsen and Trost 2007).

New Guinea: Breeding occurs through the dry season and also during the early and late wet season, according to Coates (1985), who also reported the following nesting records: A nest near Wewak was active in late August, and fledged young have been seen near Lae in December. A nest followed near Veimauri River was under construction on 2 September, an adult was incubating on 24 September, and two downy chicks could be seen on 4 November. Adults were observed making frequent visits to another nest near Dasiama Creek, Port Moresby, in early December, two downy young were obtained near Brown River in late February (Gosney 1965), and large fledged young have been seen near the Veimauri River in July.

Australia: The laying season is from September to January (Debus 1998), usually from October-December (Olsen et al. 1993).

Conservation: Common and widespread on the islands of the Papuan region and Bismarcks, although less common at the extremities of its range in Australia (Debus 1998). It probably benefits from fragmentation of continuous forest, since it prefers edge habitats, if not extensively cleared areas (Debus op cit.). It may be affected by lead in heavily urbanized areas, but eggshell thickness was not affected during the period of DDT use in Australia (Debus op cit.). McAllan et al. (2007) suggested that this species might be expanding its range southward in Australia as a consequence of global climate change. Categorized globally as a species of “Least Concern” by BirdLife International (2007).

Important References:

Andrew, P. 1992. The birds of Indonesia: a checklist (Peter’s sequence). Kukila Checklist no. 1. Indonesian Ornithological Society, Jakarta,  Indonesia.

Baker-Gabb, D.J., and W.K. Steele. 1999. The relative abundance,  distribution and seasonal movements of Australian Falconiformes, 1986-90. Birds Australia Report no. 6. 107 pp.

Beehler, B.M. 1978. Upland birds of northeastern New Guinea. Wau Ecology Institute Handbook no. 4, Wau, Papua New Guinea.

Beehler, B.M., T.K. Pratt, and D.A. Zimmerman. 1986. Birds of New Guinea.  Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ.

Cain, A.J., and I.C.J. Galbraith. 1956. Field notes on the birds of the eastern Solomon Islands. Ibis 98:100-134, 262-2

Coates, B.J., and K.D. Bishop. 1997. A guide to the birds of Wallacea, Sulawesi, the Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. Dove Publications, Alderley, Queensland, Australia.

Coates, B.J. 1985. The birds of Papua New Guinea, including the Bismarck Archipelago and Bougainville. Vol. I. Non-passerines. Dove Publications, Alderley, Queensland, Australia.

Coates, B.J., and W.S. Peckover. 2001. Birds of New Guinea and the  Bismarck Archipelago: a photographic guide. Dove Publications, Alderley, Queensland, Australia.

Debus, S.J.S. 1994. Pacific Baza. Pp. 107-108 in del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal (eds.), Handbook of birds of the world. Vol. 2. New World vultures to guineafowl. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

Debus, S. 1998. The birds of prey of Australia: a field guide. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Diamond, J.M. 1972. Avifauna of the Eastern Highlands of New Guinea. Publications of the Nuttall Ornithological Club no. 12.

Diamond, J.M., and M. Lecroy. 1979. Birds of Karkar and Bagabag Islands, New Guinea. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 164:467-531.

Ferguson-Lees, J., and D.A. Christie. 2001. Raptors of the world. Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA.

Gyldenstolpe, N. 1955. Birds collected by Dr. Sten Bergman during his  expedition to Dutch New Guinea 1948-1949. Arkiv för Zoologi 8(2):183-397

Hadden, D. 2004. Birds and bird lore of Bougainville and the North Solomons. Dove Publications, Alderley, Queensland, Australia.

Hoogerwerf, A. 1971. On a collection of birds from the Vogelkop, near Manokwari, north-western New Guinea. Emu 71:1-12.

Marchant, S., and P. Higgins (eds.). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand, and Antarctic birds. Vol. 2. Raptors to lapwings. Oxford University Press, Melbourne, Australia.

Olsen, P. 1995. Australian birds of prey. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

Olsen, P., F. Crome, and J. Olsen. 1993. Birds of prey & ground birds of  Australia. The National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife. Angus & Robertson, Sydney, Australia.

Stresemann, E. 1913. [Ornithological miscellany from the Indo-Australian region]. Novitates Zoologicae 20:289-324. (In German)

van Balen, B.S. 1998. Tropical forest raptors in Indonesia: recent information on distribution, status, and conservation. Journal of Raptor Research 32:56-63.

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