Small hornbill; 45 cm TL; sexes are different; prominent ridged bill. Head and neck: Head, and neck dirty white and washed with pale yellow (male); ear coverts (cheek) and lower throat black; bare skin around eye and on throat white; eye light brown to dark red; casque small with prominent ridges; bill and casque blackish maroon; female black overall except tail.
Body: Back and wings black with metallic sheen; breast and abdomen dirty white with yellowish wash (male).
Limbs and tail: Legs and feet dark brown to black; tail dirty white, terminal with black band.