This large species of Hornbill is endemic to the tropical forests of Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India. It is characterized by its striking black-and-white plumage and disproportionately large beak. The male and female have similar markings, with black upperparts and wings, white belly, and a prominent casque on top of the bill. The casque, which is a hollow structure resembling a helmet that is thought to amplify vocalizations, is more prominent in males. It is also noted for its loud and cackling calls. Like other hornbills, it is known for its distinctive flying pattern with steady wing beats, followed by gliding.

The Malabar Pied Hornbill is a cavity nester. The female typically seals herself inside a tree cavity during the breeding season, leaving a narrow slit through which the male feeds her. This hornbill species possesses the unique ability to consume the fruits of the strychnine tree, which are toxic to many other vertebrates.
Hornbills are excellent seed dispersers, earning them the title of ‘Farmers of the forests’.