Chunky dark brown raptor with barred underparts. Found in and adjacent to forest, thick woodland, and exotic tree plantations, often near water. Sits for long periods and doesn’t often soar. Generally scarce and uncommon across its range. Call is a weird, strangled “whaaat ho-ho-ho-haaa”. Very similar to Banded Snake-Eagle, but no overlap in range. Somewhat similar to African Cuckoo-Hawk, but larger and chunkier, with a dark brown rather than gray head.