A medium-sized Kingfisher of lowland forest. White below and dark blue above, with a white collar blending to orange at the back, a black bill with an orange spot behind the nostril, deep blue around the crown, and a pale blue rump. Female has more extensive orange, sometimes reaching the chest. Similar to Collared Kingfisher, but Rufous-lored is deeper blue and has orange on the back of the neck. Song is a loud descending series of downslurred notes, at first accelerating, then slowing down and trailing off in volume.