Smallest barbet at 17 cm. The dark, stout bill is fringed with bristles or barbs, which give the barbets their name. It is brightly coloured, with red legs and feet; bright green upperparts; greenish white underparts with diagnostic bold green streaks; black-bordered yellow face with black eye stripes, red forecrown and throat patch. Sexes are alike. The most common and widespread of the barbets found in India.