We had a visit from a very unusual bird this morning - doesn't appear on our local council bird list and also can't find on this excellent website. It was medium to large, with black wings (top), a top knot and a grey face with a beak similar to a hawk or kite. It's chest was a stripey brown and white (horizontal tiger stripes) with yellow eyes. It stopped briefly to eye the herb patch for grasshoppers (I think) and then moved on. Didn't have a song for us. I hope that there is someone out there who can help identify this magnificent bird.
Needed to mention we are on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
Hi Mareethomson1, I am not that experienced but sounds your bird maybe a Pacific Baza. They eat stick insects and maybe grass hoppers? Have a look in bird finder under Pacific Baza and google for images also.
You could also look Akos Lumnitzer's site amatteroflight for conformation.
Cheers, Jackie.
Well done, Jackie. That's exactly what it is. We googled it and found not only a bio but a video of this magnificent bird. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Baza - first time we have actually seen one in three years so hopefully they are nesting close by.
Cheers,
Maree
Excellent Maree, glad your ID is solved. I will have a look at the video
. I also have a Baza that frequents our small acerage.
Jackie
Excellent Maree, glad your ID is solved. I will have a look at the video
. I also have a Baza that frequents our small acerage.
Jackie
I have pics of an adult (near Lismore, NSW in sep '11) and a juvenile (near Lismore, NSW in Jan '12)
Peter
thank you, what sensational pics. what camera are you using?
thanks, those pics were taken with a Canon 550D and a Canon 100-400mm L lens
Peter
sounded like a Baza (aka Crested Hawk, which in my opinion is a far lovelier name).
I know of a nesting pair in the lower Blue Mountains, I've been visiting them for about three years now.
Their call is kind of a Wheee-chooow (mostly that I've heard)