The bearded barbet is a chubby and easily noticeable bird that is approximately 26 centimeters long. Its distinct physical features include a big head, a short tail, and a thick yellow bill. The adult birds have a black crown, back, tail, and breast band, with a crimson-red throat that is speckled with white below the breast band. This species gets its name from the thick clump of barb at the base of its bill.
