22 inches long with a 50 inch wingspan. This is a heavy bodied Buteo with variable plumage and light and dark morphs. Light morph plumages have a dark leading edge of the inner wing called a patagial mark. There is a blocky translucent area in the outer primaries that can be seen on flying birds. It flies with the wings in a slight upward V-shape. Light morph adults have a brown head, nape , back, and upperwings. There is a white chin, throat, breast, and belly with vertical streaks across the belly. The breast pattern shows much variation with some birds showing almost no belly streaks and others much more heavily marked. The white underwings have dark bars on the flight feathers on all but the outer most primaries The underwings also have a dark trailing edge. The tail appears brick red above and pink below. Perched birds appear to have a mottled “V” on the back. Immature light morphs are similar to the adults but have less distinct markings below and a brown tail with numerous dark bands. Dark morph adults are an overall chocolate color.