Fairly large, strong falcon, with wings broader at base; dark hood, broad moustache, white throat and cheek patches; dark grey above, barred below; many  racial variations; resident Shaheen peregrinator is darker above, rufous below; migrant calidus lighter grey above, white below, with barring; babylonicus breeds sparsely in Ladakh; solitary, or in pairs; generally rather crepuscular; renowned as skilled aerial hunter; hunts by scanning from air, or from lookout post, then  striking with great force from above.