This is the most inconspicuous hornbill in India, greyish through and through, with an impressively long tail and a curious little casque, that looks more like an outgrowth or an extra bill. This is probably a female as the male usually has darker cheeks and bill. During the mating season, the female is walled into the nest and takes the opportunity to molt her feathers while she incubates the eggs. This hornbill is the only one that occurs in urban environments where it may subsist on planted trees with fruits and berries.