Philip,
"However I wonder at the implied thought ("The Baza would be among the
raptors least likely to notice or take") that they would be less expected to
take such offerings than other raptors."
I think Steven Debus made that comment on the basis that Bazas predominantly
hunt for their prey (frogs & insects) in and around the leafy tops of trees
(eucalypts & rainforest trees) which are usualy quite tall.
Therefore bazas are less inclined to pick small non-living 'tidbits' from a
garden fence, compared to the scavenger raptors or even the inquisitive
Kestrel and Black-shouldered Kite.
Bazas could almost be considered specialist feeders as they usually only
take their prey from the crowns and branches of medium-tall trees and tend
to only feed on specific insects (phasmids & mantids) and amphibians (family
Hylidae). They are known to occasionaly feed on arboreal lizards. There are
only a handful of records of bazas feeding on small mammals & birds.
Bazas possibly have one of the most specific feeding techniques and prey
preference of the common east coast raptors.
Kurtis Lindsay
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