A dark, chunky barbet with a bald face and crown and a pale yellow bill. Overall uniform gray-brown in color with blue-gray or dark gray facial skin. Central Angolan birds have pale throats. Often encountered singly or in small groups, though large congregations can be found, especially around colonial nesting trees. Can be found nesting with other related species, from which Naked-faced Barbet differs in having no feather tufts above the bill. Voice is a sharp “tew” call, sometimes accompanied by a rattle and other harsh notes.