Pacific Baza in my yard

10 posts / 0 new
Last post
Karen
Karen's picture
Pacific Baza in my yard

These birds have been here for many years, but I have never been able to get a photo of one until now.  Caught him sitting on the power lines out front.  I am wondering could they be accountable for the many, many pigeon feathers and remains I find in my yard?

Karen

Headsie
Headsie's picture

Two in your backyard and they look the same and you got two photos, superb.

Just having fun Karen. :)

Tassie

Gidday Headsie, good shot, they do not usually sit out in the open on power lines like that to the best of my knowledge.
Mate the Pacific Baza dines on Insects, it usually frequents tree lined lagoons where it hangs out in the tree canopies catching cicada's etc.
I would be looking elsewhere for your pidgeon killer mate, its not this fella.
Thx for sharing.

Karen
Karen's picture

That is great to know.  Thank you.  I guess the cats are the culprits then.  Annoying to have them around when I don't even own a cat.

And actually, I did get another shot of this one in my backyard.

Karen
Brisbane southside.

Tassie

I owe you an apology Karen, I thought Headsie posted these, I misread somewhere along the line.
Yes, it could be a cat doing the dirty work on the pidgeons.
I know of three pairs of Bazars in the Mackay area, 2 pair I have found the nests of and the other pair are a bit more elusive, the 3 pair are all situated along bodies of water.

Karen
Karen's picture

No worries, Tassie.  I catch on quick :).  That is interesting that they are near water, as there is no water here for a km or so at least.  But maybe they travel some.  They seem to hunt here for a few days, then disappear for a few days, then return and repeat the process.  I've seen them with one youngster but have no idea where they nest.

Karen
Brisbane southside.

Tassie

Thats interesting Karen that they disappear for a bit and then return. The birds we have here frequent lagoons.  
If the body of water near you is a lagoon or small lake, its my bet thats where they hang out and breed especially if there are gums etc there.

Karen
Karen's picture

Their disappearance is the reason I thought they attacked other birds.  They are large, and the other birds go crazy when they are around, even the crows.  I figured they hunted different areas so the birds wouldn't actually be driven out. The nearest water is a sort of creek/swamp area, but not many gums left.  I have a few gums and ironbarks in the back yard, and half the time I wouldn't know what was up in the trees, but when the crested hawks are in, I know because of the other birds' behaviour.

Karen
Brisbane southside.

Tassie

You are right, the other birds hate them and treat them like they would a Goshawk.....lol
I reckon they will be nesting up in the area of the swamp/creek area.

Karen
Karen's picture

Could be.  There is no people access to the swamp locally, well, not easily anyway, but some distance away they have created a wetlands along part of the creek.  It is relatively new with picnic grounds and walks through the bush, but birds already knew the area so were quick to take advantage.  Plenty of sea eagles there, but don't know if the Bazas are there too.

Yes, the other birds act very threatened by these, but the Bazas don't seem phased by the stir they cause.  They'll lazily move on if they get too harassed but I doubt if any of the birds here would be a threat to them.

Karen
Brisbane southside.

 and   @birdsinbackyards
                 Subscribe to me on YouTube