Young birds have a plain green head and lack the black on their face and throat.

The southern Indian race, C. a. frontalis, has a narrower yellow border to black face.

Towards the extreme south of India and Sri Lanka the race insularis occurs which is slightly smaller than frontalis.

[3] Its song consists of rising and falling liquid chirps in bulbul-like tones and its call may include harsh whispers.

[2] The golden-fronted leafbird is a common resident breeder in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and parts of Southeast Asia.