A Failed Breeding Attempt of the Pacific Baza Aviceda subcristata near Grafton, Northern New South Wales

Abstract

A breeding attempt by a pair of Pacific Bazas Aviceda subcristata was observed for ~22 h over 11 days near Grafton, north-coastal New South Wales, through the nest-building and incubation phases in October–November 2009. Both male and female shared incubation; changeovers averaged one every 1.5 h in the mornings (one per hour before 0800 h, one every 2 h between 0800 and 1100 h). The behaviour and routines of the adults are described. A storm destroyed the nest after 26 days of incubation, at which stage the eggs contained chicks within a few days of hatching.