Small white hawk whoose wings are grey with black shoulder patches. Eyes are red with a black marking which runs from front to back over the eye. Seen from below the bird is white with grey and black markings from the middle to the end of the wing. It is frequently seen perching on dead trees or hovering over grasslands.

One of two small species of raptor which are frequently seen hovering over open grassy areas searching for prey, the other being the Nankeen Kestrel. Once prey is spotted the kite will drop down to catch it.