It is a medium-sized bird, 50–57 cm (20–22 in) in length, characterized by black back and wings and a white belly.

Females are smaller than males and can be recognized by turquoise facial skin.

This is an uncommon resident of the mopane woodlands and mixed thorn fields of northeastern Namibia (especially on the Waterberg plateau), northern Botswana, southern Angola and eastern Zimbabwe.

They feed on fruits, large insects, nuts and small reptiles.

The common name and Latin binomial commemorate the South African naturalist R. D. Bradfield (1882-1949).