A large eagle with a bright white head and underside and a chocolate-brown back and uppertail. In flight, appears entirely white except for bold dark bars and tips on outer wings and tail. A rare eagle of forested lowlands and foothills, restricted to several of the Lesser Sundas islands. Larger than immature Rufous-bellied Eagle, with bolder tail bars, an all-white head, and noticeably bulging inner wings, unlike Rufous-bellied. Differs from Short-toed Snake-Eagle in its lack of dark markings on underside of forewing and its clean white underparts.