Unmistakable large hawk that is dark grayish overall, with unusually long red legs, a long tail, and a menacing white eye. Adult: Uniform gray on head, back and wings. Short black wingtips extend only about halfway down the tail. Black tail with gray tip and two white bands. Underparts heavily barred with gray and white. In flight, underwings show broad dark tips and a wide white subterminal crescent, then a series of alternating black and white crescents that become progressively smaller towards the inner wing. Underwing linings and undersides of the secondaries are heavily barred with dark gray. Juvenile: Paler than adult, with a brownish cast. Whitish on face and forehead.

Length: 48 (cm) Wingspan: 95 (cm)

Habitat:

Forest edges, fields, savannas, and clearings along roads. Particularly likes areas near water.

Behavior:

While chasing prey, often climbs agilely along logs, trunks and branches.

Feeding:

Diet consists of small mammals and birds, lizards, snakes and frogs.