Chunky, medium-sized black-and-white barbet. There is a wide range of geographical variation in the distribution and extent of black and white in the plumage. The tail can be black or white, the wings can be all black or heavily white-spotted, and the underparts can be all white or all black with thin white streaks. Found locally, usually in the vicinity of fig trees, in a variety of habitats including open savanna, gardens, lush woodland, and gallery forest. The calls are a repeated “wheet” and rapid chatters which are usually given together by a group.