A rare and sparsely distributed raptor found in inland marshes and lakes. Adults are dark brown on their backs with a lighter belly and a dirty-gray head. In flight, the most striking feature is a broad white band across the dark tail. Juveniles have an all-dark tail but display two bright white panels on the undersides of their wingtips. Although this wing pattern might resemble that of some kites, the fish-eagle is much larger, with longer wings and a relatively shorter tail.