Least Concern — widespread but generally uncommon and local in distribution.

30–36 cm in length with a wingspan of about 70–80 cm; a small, compact raptor with a short crest, black upperparts, white breast with dark barring, and chestnut shoulder patches.

Partly migratory; many populations breed in Northeast India, the Himalayas, and Southeast Asia.

Migrants move to southern India, Sri Lanka, and other tropical parts of Southeast Asia during the non-breeding season.

Usually April to July, depending on region and climate.

Builds a small stick nest high in tall trees within forests; clutch usually 2–3 eggs; both parents participate in incubation and feeding.

Prefers evergreen forests, forest edges, wooded hills, plantations, and well-wooded valleys; often seen near forest clearings.

Feeds mainly on large insects such as grasshoppers, cicadas, beetles, and occasionally small birds, lizards, and frogs; hunts from perches or in flight.