Only species of whistling tree duck with a bright pink bill which grades to gray at the nail and to yellow behind the nostrils. The tail, upper tail coverts, flanks, and under parts are black, the breast and lower neck are chestnut to grayish, and the back feathers are chestnut. The face is grayish, with a white eye-ring, and the crown is brownish. Males and females are similar. Juveniles have grayish feet and bills, and are generally duller than adults.