They are all restricted to tropical or subtropical humid forested regions, often in low mountains or foothills.

As indicated by their common name, they all have extremely loud calls that are reminiscent of a metal bell being rung.

[2] The genus Procnias was introduced in 1811 by the German zoologist Johann Karl Wilhelm Illiger.

[3] The name comes from Greek mythology, Procne was an Athenian princess who was metamorphosed into a swallow.

[4] The type species was designated as the bearded bellbird by George Gray in 1840.