Bazza and his mates drop in.

During the afternoon of Tuesday 9th November, some of the smaller birds (Yellow-faced honeyeaters and White-naped honeyeaters etc.) which frequent the garden and surrounds, were sounding upset.  Rosellas, Pigeons and Peaceful doves, Scrub wrens and Blue wrens all appeared to panic and quickly disperse to shelter amongst the thick foliage.

On investigation I found a group of four Pacific Bazza (Crested Hawks) crashing about in the tree tops, foraging for insects.
These uncommon to scarce hawks are 38cm to 43cm in size easily distinguished by a small crest and bold dark bars across the chest.
Crested hawks, usually found in small flocks, hover around the tree canopies feeding on phasmids (stick insects).  It is also reported in Slaters, “Field Guide to Australian Birds” that Crested Hawks also eat tree frogs and fruit such as native figs.  They build a nest similar to a pigeon’s located in a leafy upright fork towards the top of a tree.  Other birds are not smart enough to realize that these insect-eaters are not a threat.  They merely see them as another bird-of-prey.  Col Hockings.

Some more information can be found at http://www.wiresnr.org/Pacificbaza.html together with some pictures.