The common eagle ray, which is classified as a fish, has a dark brown to black dorsal surface and a white underside. Its body is flanked by two large, triangular pectoral fins—one on each side—and it possesses a single dorsal fin. The species is characterised by a rounded snout and a long, slender tail that lacks a tail fin but bears a large spine at its base. In males, the spine accounts for approximately 70% of the tail length, while in females it represents about 65%. A mid-dorsal groove, extending between 10% and 40% of the tail length, contains glandular tissue used for venom delivery.

The common eagle ray is most commonly found in shallow coastal waters at depths of up to 50 metres, although it has occasionally been recorded at depths of up to 800 metres. Its diet consists primarily of benthic invertebrates concealed within the seabed, such as bivalve molluscs and crustaceans including crabs, shrimps, and lobsters. Larger individuals have also been known to prey on small fish. This species has a distinctive jaw structure: instead of pointed teeth, it possesses a flat dental plate made up of hexagonal units arranged in a mosaic pattern, which is particularly effective for crushing hard-shelled prey.

The eagle ray is ovoviviparous, meaning that eggs develop and hatch within the female’s body, resulting in the birth of live pups. Early development relies on the yolk contained within the egg case, after which the embryos are nourished by nutrient-rich uterine fluids. Following a gestation period of approximately six to eight months, the pups are born fully formed.