diagnostics
45 cm, 600-650 g. A unique raptor likely to be seen at its roost tree during the day, or hunting bats in the evening. Sexes are similar in plumage, but females are slightly larger (Brown et al. 1982). Mostly blackish brown above, with a variable amount of white below, especially on the throat and abdomen; the chest appears mottled black on brown. The amount of white on the throat varies (absent in some), but there is a black streak along the centre of the throat (Steyn 1982). There is a short occipital crest and two white nape spots. The slender black bill has a wide gape. Cere bluish grey. Legs and toes bluish white; talons black. Rectrices brown with indistinct pale greyish brown bars. Remiges dark brown with white spots on the inner webs. Juveniles are similar to pale form adults, but are more extensively white below, except for a dark brown band across the breast.
