The black-chested snake eagle is a mostly brown eagle with a striking dark brown-black head and chest, contrasting with white underparts and underwings. It has bright yellow eyes and, unlike the similar martial eagle, lacks spots on its breast and isí smaller in size. This medium-sized raptor forages for snakes and other reptiles by soaring high above the ground, occasionally hovering, before descending in a parachute-like plunge to catch its prey.