A massive, chunky, black, white, and chestnut kingfisher with a huge dagger-like black bill and a small crest. Sexes differ in the location of chestnut plumage: upper breast on the male, belly and underwings on the female. Pairs patrol freshwater rivers, lakes and swamps, and saltwater estuaries, mangroves and coastlines, hunting for fish, crabs, frogs and invertebrates. Draws attention to itself with raucous harsh and rapidly repeated “kek” and “kakh” calls.