Black Baza

Black Baza

Scientific Name: Aviceda leuphotes

Malay Name: Helang-Gerigi Hitam

Chinese Name: 黑冠鹃隼

Range: Breeds along the lower slopes of the Himalayas through continental southeast Asia. Some populations migrate south to India, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and west Java.

Taxonomy: Polytypic. Subspecies are: syama, leuphotes, andamanica.

Size: 31.5-33 cm

Identification: Distinct black and white hawk with chestnut on the wings (hard to see in flight). Pale Pied Harrier has black restricted to the head and wing tips.

Similar looking species: Pied Harrier

Habitat: Woodland.

Behaviour/Ecology: Often observed migrating in big numbers, forming tight, neatly arranged flocks when gliding. Typically arrives in Singapore later than the sparrowhawks and honey buzzards. Also frequently seen roosting in groups, especially (?) at wooded areas with high density of Acacia trees.

Local Status: Common migrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2021)

Location: Observed migrating across key raptor watch sites. Flocks often observed wintering around Kranji and Lorong Halus.

Featured reports: Apr 2025

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes
Estimated average number of individuals by week based on eBird data, Jul 2014 to Jun 2024
Peak week Nov 05-Nov 11
Early date 02 Oct 2016
Late date 08 Apr 1988
A late-arriving migrant, with the largest numbers observed passing through in November rather than late Oct.
Black Baza at Changi Cove. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Black Baza at Punggol Barat. Photo Credit: Francis Yap
Black Baza at Jelutong Tower. Photo credit: Francis Yap
Black Baza at Bidadari. Photo Credit: Con Foley
Black Baza at Faber Hill. Photo Credit: Francis Yap

External Links:

Conservation Status: IUCN Red List Page

Sound Recordings: xeno-canto Link

Wikipedia Entry: Wikipedia Link

eBird Species page: eBird (Black Baza)

References:

BirdLife International. (2021). Aviceda leuphotes. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22694964A202412049.en. Accessed on 1 January 2023

Clark, W. S. & Kirwan, G. M. (2020). Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes), version 1.0. In del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D. A., & de Juana, E. (Eds). Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.blabaz1.01

Robson, C. (2014). Field guide to the birds of South-East Asia (Second Edition). Bloomsbury Publishing, London.

RECOMMENDED CITATION

Bird Society of Singapore. (n.d.). Black Baza. Retrieved on June 9, 2025 from https://singaporebirds.com/species/black-baza.

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