Brilliantly colored kingfisher with a heavy crimson bill and a large puffy head. Male is bright blue with an orange face, white chin, light orange breast, and black-and-blue banded wings and tail. Female is striped like a tiger, with orange and black patterning across her entire body. Perches quietly and absolutely motionless at various levels of the forest, usually mid-height to low, where it can be difficult to detect. Inhabits lowland and hill forests. Gives away its presence with a long haunting whistle followed by a series of mellow whistles.