This species is a resident breeder in open woodland habitats in tropical east Africa.

These are common, noisy and conspicuous birds, despite lacking the brilliant colours of relatives such as the violet turaco.

The head, erectile crest, neck and breast are brown streaked with silver.

The eastern plantain-eater has a thick bright yellow bill, and shows a white wing bar in flight.

The sexes are identical, but immature individuals have a black woolly head without silver streaking.