A large raptor, with a particularly large head and frontal vision which gives it an almost owl-like appearance. Its plumage is brown above with white underparts, finely marked with brown. Its large eyes are yellow or orange, able to locate snakes or lizards on which they feed. They return to Extremadura each spring from their wintering grounds in Africa, raising just one young. They nest in trees in forested areas, but prefer to hunt over open ground.