The adult White Hawk ranges from 46–56 cm long with very broad wings and a short tail.
Its plumage is white overall with black wingtips and a black tail band.
This is one of the few hawk species with mostly white feathers.
Immatures have more black on the wings, as do adults of populations in southern Central America.
Note the dark eyes and pale grayish base to the bill (versus yellow on most hawks).
The sexes are similar, but females are larger and heavier.

An adult. San Benito, Petén, Guatemala, 20 January 2020