Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk
Aviceda madagascariensis
The Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk (Aviceda madagascariensis) is a legendary kites, old world vultures, eagles, and hawk found only in Madagascar, weighing about 292 g. The Madagascar cuckoo-hawk, also known as the Madagascar baza or the Madagascan cuckoo falcon, is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.










About the Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk
The Madagascar cuckoo-hawk, also known as the Madagascar baza or the Madagascan cuckoo falcon, is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The adult Madagascar cuckoo-hawk has dark brown upperparts which are paler on the head and an off white rump. The underparts are white with the breast and upper breast and sides of the lower breast are heavily streaked with brown, these streaks becoming finer on the flanks, The tail has two narrow, pale bars and a pale tip. The underwing coverts are heavily barred with brown while the flight feathers have broad dark bands on their underside. At rest there is a short crest which projects from the rear crown.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk?
- The adult Madagascar cuckoo-hawk has dark brown upperparts which are paler on the head and an off white rump. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk?
- The Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk is a medium sized bird weighing about 292 g.
- Where can you see a Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk?
- The Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk is endemic to Madagascar, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk?
- The Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk is most easily confused with the African Cuckoo-Hawk, the Jerdon's Baza and the Black Baza.
- Is the Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk endangered?
- The Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk for real
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