Although it is classified as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, it is threatened by habitat destruction and its population is thought to be decreasing.

Whitehead's broadbill was described as Calyptomena whiteheadi by the British naturalist Richard Bowdler Sharpe in 1887 based on specimens from Mount Kinabalu, Borneo.

The specific name, whiteheadi, is in honour of the British explorer John Whitehead,[3] who collected the specimens based on which the species was described.

[4] Whitehead's broadbill is the official common name designated by the International Ornithologists' Union.

Calyptomena is one of two genera in the family Calyptomenidae, the other being Smithornis, a genus of three rather dull-coloured species found in Africa.

Although species-level relationships within the family are unclear, both the genera are monophyletic (including all descendants of a common ancestor) taxa that are sister (most closely related) to each other.

They also have extensive black markings on the wings and upper back, conspicuous streaking on the underparts, and blackish tails and flight feathers.

The iris is dark brown, the feet are olive to greyish-green, and the bill is black with a pale lower mandible.

Groups of 3–4 males make a rough, harsh kerrrrrr or kh-khrrrrrr, along with a chek, rrrrt-rrrrt and teek-waaaaarrr.

[8] Whitehead's broadbill is endemic to Borneo, where it is found in the northern and central parts of the island.

[8] Nests are suspended from slender branches around 15 m (50 ft) above the ground, with the outside made of fresh green moss.