Adult shows a dark brown crested head, a white throat with central streak, a rufous breast with bold streaking, a densely barred belly, and feathered thighs. In flight, note densely barred body and forewings, sparse bars on outer wing, and evenly barred tail. Immatures show white on head and underparts and dark brown above, with narrower tail bars. Wings broad, with bulging inner wing. Found in tall forest from lowlands to mountains. More heavily built, larger-headed, and larger-billed than Sulawesi Honey-Buzzard, and also has feathered thighs and more evenly spaced tail bars. Immature resembles young Rufous-bellied Eagle, but hawk-eagle lacks dark flanks and mask. Gives a loud “ke-ke-ke-ke…” call.