This species is usually found in forest clearings, open woodlands, and sometimes in cultivated lands with scattered trees.

[2] Ebird describes it as "A fairly large, common raptor of forest and more open wooded areas from the lowlands to the lower mountains.

Differs from other raptors in its range by its bare yellow skin between the bill and eye, and in flight by its dark terminal band to the wings and tail.

Populations are still declining due to habitat loss due to slash and burn farming, mining, illegal logging and habitat conversion, hunting and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade.

Mount Apo, Pasonanca Natural Park and Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park but like all areas in the Philippines, protection is lax and deforestation continues despite this protection on paper.