Striking, long-tailed and long-winged harrier. Glides with wings held in a raised v-shape. Males have a white belly and a dark gray back, head and throat, while the larger females have a brown back and head. Also occurs as a rarer dark morph, which has an all-dark body and underwings. Juveniles are similar to females but heavily streaked on the breast. Found in open country including marshes, grasslands, and rice fields.