A scarce small hawk of forests and open woodlands. The adult is very distinctive with its gray hood and barred orange belly. Immatures are pale-buff below with brown streaking and are brown above. Immatures separated from immature Red-tailed Hawk by small size and, in flight, by the lack of dark patagial bars. Typically rather approachable. Feeds on a wide variety of prey including large insects, small birds, and bats. Common call is loud, shrill, repeated “wee-uh.”