Black Baza vs Pacific Baza

Black Baza

Aviceda leuphotes

Medium194 gForest

The black baza is a small and distinctively coloured raptor; it ranges from 30 to 35 cm in length, a 66 to 80 cm wingspan and a weight of 168 to 224 g. When perched, the upright crest and contrasting patterns make it difficult to misidentify. The male has white scapulars, secondary coverts and on the secondaries. The female has white only on the scapulars and more chestnut bands on the underside unlike the few bands in the male. While flying, it is similar to a crow and is often seen in small groups or flocks during migration. During migration, they are gregarious at their roost.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: NatureAtYourBackyard, Flickr User · CC BY 2.0

Pacific Baza

Aviceda subcristata

Large323 gForest

The Pacific baza is a slender, medium-sized bird, with a slim head and neck. Its appearance is similar to that of other species in its genus. It grows to a total length of 35–46 centimetres (14–18 in), with a wingspan of 80–105 centimetres (31–41 in) and a tail length of 19–23 centimetres (7.5–9.1 in). It weighs 260–450 grams (9.2–15.9 oz), with females being slightly heavier than males. Specimens are typically smaller in the extreme western and eastern parts of its range. The species have a white underside, which is barred with black. Its upperside is grey, with brown scapulas.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Ron Knight · CC BY 2.0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Black Baza and Pacific Baza.