The ornate hawk-eagle has a tall, distinctive, black crest that can be erected when excited. The throat is rimmed with black-tipped feathers and each side of the head and neck is chestnut. They have black upperparts and white underparts barred with black. The flight feathers are marked with white and black bars. The feet and cere are yellow and the eyes are orange. The juvenile has a different appearance. The upperparts are dark brown, with pure white underparts on the head and neck, except for black tips to the crest feathers. The hooked sharp beak and strong yellow feet with long talons make this hawk-eagle a formidable predator.