The species was originally described as Alecto bitorquata by Giorgio Jan in 1859.

The top of the head is pale olive, with a bright yellow occipital blotch, which is edged with black.

The body is dark olive dorsally, and may have a darker vertebral streak.

[3] H. bitorquatus is found on the eastern coast of Australia, from Cape York Peninsula in Queensland to Gosford in New South Wales.

[8] The preferred natural habitat of H. bitorquatus is forest.