A 1995 paper provided strong morphological and vocal evidence that the original treatment as a species in its own right was correct.

Adults have a pale grayish white facial disk with concentric dark lines.

Their upperparts are dusky brownish black with narrow white and yellowish buff barring.

The species is found there in hilly, rolling, and flat terrain with a wide variety of forest types, both dense and semi-open.

It hunts from a perch, dropping on or flying to small mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates.