A fairly large raptor of lowland and montane forest. Brown above with a heavily streaked chest, a barred belly, a fairly long flattened crest coming from the back of the head, and piercing golden eyes. In flight, note barred, bulging wings and fairly long barred tail with a broad terminal band. Juveniles are much paler. Remarkably similar to Philippine Hawk-Eagle, but in flight Philippine Honey-buzzard has a narrow head which projects more from the wings. Voice consists of a drawn-out, two-noted “weeeeeeee lew” repeated at intervals.