The underside of the flight feathers is barred with a distinct black band along the rear edge of the wing.

In the southern part of its range, i.e. Malawi, it is restricted to montane rainforest and does not hunt in open habitats outside the forest.

The main prey consists of small mammals, reptiles, and insects which are caught after the bird sights them from an open perch before gliding down and capturing them.

[3] Mountain buzzards construct a stick nests in the upper fork of tall forest trees.

In Malawi there are no confirmed breeding records, but displaying pairs are most active in September and a juvenile has been seen in October.