Larger and bulier than the similar gabar goshawk, this bird has a white throat with a black line down the centre, a white rump and a broad white tail bar (or rarely, two tail bars).
Juvenile similar to adult but has a paler cere and legs.
Open, broad-leaved woodland and thornveld in the east and north.
Noisy in the breeding season: a whistled 'peoo-peoo' and a melodious 'klioo-klu-klu-kl-klu'.