Found all over the country from lowlands to hills and absent only in the highest mountains, these birds are seen around well wooded gardens as well as forests. They are strictly arboreal, never descending towards the ground, and live in pairs, but do not associate very closely, keeping in touch by means of their frequently uttered call. This barbet is the largest found in Sri Lanka and is distinguishable by the orange red bill and facial patch. They feed on a large variety of berries and other fruit, various wild figs and the young are fed on insects. Using their stout bills, the excavate nests in tree trunks by pecking out a hole, preferring trees that are nearly vertical for their nest. Clutches consist of three or four eggs.