A medium-sized bird of montane forest canopy. Plump, with a bulge on the head and a somewhat narrow bill. Male is all black with some greenish iridescence in front of the eye, at the back of the wing and a yellowish edge to the mouth. The female is mainly olive green with rufous wings and tail. Male is similar to Short-tailed Paradigalla but lacks the yellow wattle. Female is similar to female Crested Satinbird and MacGregor’s Bowerbird but it is smaller, overall color is olive green rather than brown and lacks Crested Satinbird’s pale eye. Male gives a far-carrying, nasal whistle from an exposed perch.