Large, rare bowerbird of montane forest. Males are black with a long, forked tale and yellow crest, spikey at the front and flat at the back. The female is dark gray with the hint of a crest, shorter, squared tail and a small rufous patch in the wing. Honeyeaters and Short-tailed Paradigalla have facial wattles. Other black birds in range are much smaller. Very varied vocalizations. Many different rough, scolding calls and male gives a distinctive, snap and yelp at the bower.