The Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes) is 33 cm (13 in.) in size. It is a black
and white raptor with long erectile crest. Its upperparts is black with
scallop patterns on the wings in black, white and rufous colours. It has
white upper breast, white underparts marked by narrow rufous bars. The rest
of the underpart is marked centrally by a black vertical band.

It breeds in India, Myanmar and N Thailand and winters in Sri Lanka,
South-East Asia and Sumatra. It is a passage migrant and winter visitor in
Malaysia at low elevations south to Singapore. It migrates in large compact
flock soaring high on rising thermals and is one of the raptors commonly
seen at Tanjung Tuan (Cape Rachado) during autumn and spring passage.

The Black Baza (Aviceda leuphotes) is usually seen in forests, forest edge,
plantations and heavily wooded areas preferring canopy and crowns of tall
trees. Flight pattern is quite distinctive like that of the crow of flapping
and gliding with wings held flat.