The largest raptor in the Philippines; 90-100 cm TL; 4.7-8.0 kg Head and neck:
Head white covered with shaggy crest of long slender feathers; crest white and brown lanceolated feathers; face white; around eye and chin covered with black hair-like feathers; eye bluish grey; cere grey; bill large and bluish grey with black tip.
Body: Dark brown with buff edges; flight feathers with barring, broad dark subterminal band, and white edge; throat, breast and abdomen white.
Limbs and tail: Legs and feet large and pale yellow; tail long and dark brown with black bars and white tip.