The underwing coverts sport a grayish buff color. The body, upper tail and wing coverts are rufous. Both have grey stippling on long scapulars and upper wing coverts. Juveniles are even plainer in coloration, with buffy undertail coverts. The underparts are pure white, but have some black on the undertail coverts and vent. The undertail coverts and the wing linings are white. The young have rufous tips to the coverts and margins to the secondaries. It has predominantly black plumage, with white on its belly and undertail coverts. Axillars and patch on underwing coverts are red. In flight a yellow wing-bar contrasts clearly with the red underwing coverts. The secondaries and greater coverts have chestnut bars or spots. The undertail coverts also had a few black spots. The upperwing coverts, underwing coverts, and tertials are white. The side of the breast down to the undertail coverts have black arrowhead-shaped markings. The primary feathers, wing coverts, and under-wing coverts are blue.