A medium eagle; 56-69 cm TL; sexes are alike in appearance. Head and neck: Covert on head and neck brown at base and dark brown at tip; crest is long (up to 7 cm) and composed of 4 to 5 feathers; eye yellow; bill light grey at base and dark grey at tip.
Body:
Back and wings dark brown; breast and abdomen brown with dark streaks.
Limbs and tail: Thighs and undertail brown with white bars; feet chalky white to light yellow; tail greyish brown with 5 to 6 bands.