The Western banded snake eagle (Circaetus cinerascens), is a species of grey-brown bird of prey with a short tail and a large head. Juveniles have paler and browner upper parts than adults, with white-edged feathers. Head, neck and breast are dark-streaked. The underparts are white with pale brown streaks, mainly on belly and thighs. Subadults may be all dark grey-brown without any streak on underparts. The eyes, ears, and legs are yellow. They have crested chests.