The species' common name comes from the sky-blue wing coverts.

The rest of the body is grey, with olive wing coverts and collar.

The feathers on the back and the wing coverts have pale margins.

The adults have a chestnut back and wing coverts, with the rest of the body mainly black.

The under wing coverts are bright yellow, although the extent of this is variable.

With the exception of the white wing coverts, the wings are black as the tail.

The wing coverts are white with the primaries and tail black.

The adult male is deep violet, with a dark green back and wing coverts.

It is distinguished from that species by its less buff body and wing coverts.

This large vulture is dark brown except for the pale wing coverts.