A gregarious, cartoon-like, mostly black-and-brown helmetshrike with a piercing orange eye, red legs and eye-wattles, and an orange-tipped red bill. Flocks of 2 to 15 birds inhabit mature broadleaf woodland and riverine and coastal forest, avoiding arid habitats. When not breeding, flock size may increase to 30 and groups may join other species, including White Helmetshrike, in mixed-species flocks. Calls are complex and include grating, whistling, and nasal notes.