Jim and to all birders
The wheather was nice and warm and mainly sunny (probably about 25
degrees temperature).
As the Ironbarks where the Baza's were feeding were about 20 metres tall,
I saw one of these birds (through my 7 x 35 binoculars) feeding on what
looked like a tree frog as it pulled it to pieces.I'm not an expert on
frogs but have heard tree frogs calling during winter.
These birds were only harrassed by the Miners when flying from tree to
tree but not when perched in the trees.However in February this year I
saw one Baza flying over the Colo River (north of Wilberforce NSW) after
hearing it calling (ee-chew, ee-chew...), and despite other birds being
present in the vicinty (eg) Lewin's Honeyeater, there were no alarm calls
given or harrassment by other birds.
Edwin
----------
From: WM James Davis[SMTP:
Sent: Thursday, 31 July 1997 18:00
To: Vella, Edwin
Cc:
Subject: Re: CRESTED HAWKS AT SHANES PARK (WESTERN SYDNEY) JULY 1997
Vella:
Having watched the P.Baza for an hour could you provide any more
details about their behaviour? For example, you mentioned that they were
eating tree frogs. Could you see the frogs? Isn't it too cold for
tree frogs in the canopy at this time of year? Forgive my ignorance, but
I am not from Australia and I am trying to get a feel for what is
possible
and what isn't. Almost anything seems possible downunder. Did you happen
to notice whether the Noisy Miners harassed the hawks when they were
perched or only when they were flying?
Thanks in advance for your tolerance.
Cheers, Jim
On Mon, 28 Jul 1997, Vella, Edwin wrote:
> Here I observed for about an hour (with excellent views, I wish I
> had my video camera at the time), Six (6) beautiful and majestic
Crested
> Hawks (Pacific Baza's) in mid afternoon feeding in the canopy of
> Ironbarks (Broad-leaf Ironbark).The birds were feeding on tree frogs
and
> leaf insects and were being harrased when pouncing from tree to tree
for
> prey by Noisy Miners and Grey Butcherbird.
>
> This is the fourth time I've seen these raptors and have seen them with
> young near Epping.Such birds can be quite tame and approachable within
a
> couple of metres (they do not mind) especially when feeding.When
feeding
> they sometimes hang upside down like a bat or acrobatic.
>
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