A very agile species with spectacular flight. It has dark brown upperparts with a white patch between the shoulders and mottled white underparts. It occurs in rocky, hilly country at low altitude, cliffs near reservoirs and to a lesser extent wooded areas. They prey mainly on pigeons and other similar-sized birds in flight, as well as sometimes rabbits and lizards. They occur year-round in the vicinity of their breeding areas, defending the nest site against other eagles and vultures.