Jerdon's Baza

The Jerdon's Baza, a moderate-sized raptor, is adorned with a slender, white-tipped black crest that it characteristically holds erect. This brown hawk, with its distinctive plumage and posture, is a sight to behold in the forests of South-east Asia.

Identification Tips

When observing this bird, one can note its length of approximately 46 cm. In flight, it may be mistaken for the crested goshawk or the changeable hawk-eagle. However, the Jerdon's Baza can be distinguished by its pronounced upright crest, very broad and rounded paddle-shaped wings, and predominantly plain and pale underparts. A white chin and a striking black mesial stripe add to its unique identification markers.

Habitat

The Jerdon's Baza favors the foothills in the terai region, though it is less commonly found in evergreen forests and tea estates.

Distribution

This bird is a permanent resident across a variety of locales, including the terai of North India, the Eastern Himalayan foothills from Eastern Nepal and Bengal duars to the Assam valley, the Western Ghats in Southern India, southern Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Sumatra, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Behaviour

Often seen in pairs, the Jerdon's Baza engages in aerial sallies with its crest held proudly erect. On occasion, small family groups of 3 to 5 may be observed in flight near the forest's edge. The birds perform 'soaring and undulating' display flights in the vicinity of their nests.

Song & calls

Unfortunately, the guide does not provide information on the song and calls of the Jerdon's Baza.

Breeding

The breeding season for the Jerdon's Baza varies by location, but it is known to breed almost year-round, with the exception of a brief period around April and May.

Similar Species

The Jerdon's Baza can be confused with the crested goshawk or the changeable hawk-eagle when in flight, but its longer crest and broader wings help differentiate it.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Jerdon's Baza consists of lizards, grasshoppers, and other large insects. A specimen's stomach contents revealed an agamid lizard, Japalura variegata, several longicorn beetles, and mantises.

Conservation status

The Jerdon's Baza is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it does not face immediate threats to its survival.