The larger size, black throat and white underparts distinguish this species from the smaller, similarly patterned Red-fronted Tinkerbird.
Juvenile lacks the red forehead.

Woodland and savanna, especially arid thornveld; also suburbs, parks and orchards.

A nasal 'nehh, nehh, nehh', repeated at intervals, and a low-pitched 'poop-oop-oop-oop...'.