Rare, unobtrusive, and robust forest hawk. Dark above and pale below with gleaming white underwings. Adults of both sexes have a bright yellow bill. Males are gray-faced and females black-faced. Juveniles resemble a miniature Ornate Hawk-Eagle with an orange nape and breast, but are smaller and have bare thighs. Usually found in extensive forests, but occasionally at forest edges and in non-forested areas.