On perched birds, the wingtips of this species extend well beyond the tip of the tail. Adult birds are gray above, with blackish wing feathers and a bold rufous patch on the shoulder. The underparts are white and unmarked, while the tail is white with a black subterminal band. In flight, white wing coverts contrast with dark flight feathers. Second year birds are dark gray above with a dull brownish patch on the shoulder. The tail is dusky white with a darker terminal band. The breast is white, but the belly is barred brownish gray. Juvenile birds are blackish overall, with variable amounts of white on the breast and a short white supercillium. Undertail coverts are whitish, and the tail is a plain light brownish gray.

Length: 51 (cm) Wingspan: 119 (cm)

Voice:

reeEEEEeee, keyak keyak keyak keyak.

Habitat:

Prairie, scrubland, savannah.

Behavior:

Wings held in noticeably dihedral position when soaring.

Feeding:

Small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians.