At about 60–65 cm (24–26 in) in length, it is a medium-sized hornbill, dark brown above and red-brown below.

The male has brighter rufous cheeks and throat.

It inhabits evergreen and deciduous hill forest from foothills to 1500 m. It breeds co-cooperatively, in groups.

Habitat loss to logging and agriculture is known to be prevalent within its range.

The binomial commemorates the ornithologist Samuel Tickell.