An ashy-colored hornbill with a bicolored bill that differs between the sexes: the male’s bill is mostly dark with a pale wedge at the base, and the female’s bill is mostly ivory above with a purple-reddish tip. It has a buoyant and undulating flight pattern; note the pale rump and pale tail tip. Pairs are common in open dry savanna and broadleaved woodland. Its territorial call, given with the bill raised skywards and the wings flicked with each note, is a long series of plaintive piping “piu-piu-piu” notes that concludes with some rolling whistles. The similar Pale-billed Hornbill differs by having a pale bill lacking any dark coloration.