 In the field the species may also be confused with the martial eagle ("Polemaetus bellicosus"); however, it is distinguished from this species by its smaller size, unmarked (not spotted) breast, and white (not brown-black) underwings.The eye is bright yellow-orange in colour, the bill horn-coloured and the legs pale grey and unfeathered below the thigh, as in other snake eagles.The call is a whistled "kwo kwo kwo kweeoo".