Its common name and Latin binomial commemorate the British collector Major A. G.

[2] The Sladen's Barbet is a dark, stocky bird characterized by a distinctive tuft of buff-colored feathers on its forehead.

It is typically observed in small groups, frequenting dead trees in lowland rainforests, gallery forests, and secondary growth areas.

This species occasionally coexists with the Grey-throated Barbet, and while both species possess dark bills, the unfeathered head of Sladen's Barbet serves as a key identifying feature.

[3] Its vocal repertoire includes nasal, "squeaky toy"-like calls and dry, agitated rattles.