An image recognizing apparatus and method is provided for recognizing behavior of a mobile unit accurately with an image of external environment acquired during the mobile unit is moving.Behavior command output block 12 outputs behavior commands to cause the mobile unit 32 move. Local feature extraction block 16 extracts features of local areas of the image from the image of external environment acquired on the mobile unit 32 when the behavior command is output. Global feature extraction block 18 extracts feature of global area of the image using the features of local areas. Learning block 20 calculates probability models for recognizing behavior given to the mobile unit 32 based on the feature of global area of the image. After learning is finished, behavior of the mobile unit 32 may be recognized rapidly and accurately by applying the probability models to an image of external environment acquired in mobile unit 32 afresh.