Leisurely, powerful wingbeats, soaring, circling, gliding on upturned wings with deeply fingered wing tips. Often seen at 2000m or more riding thermal currents. Swoops, snatches prey, mostly rabbits, also wallabies, reptiles, waterfowl, usually consumed on the ground. Scavenges on carrion.

Variable habitat. Wooded mountain slopes, open country, alpine areas to plains. Less frequently urban areas, beaches.