Berenicornis comatus is a large hornbill, reaching a length of 83–102 centimetres (33–40 in) and a weight of 1.3–1.5 kilograms (2.9–3.3 lb).
Females are smaller than males.
The plumage is black and white.
The head, neck, breast and tail are white, while the remaining plumage is black.
It has a white crown feathers erected in a crest (hence the common name).
Between the eye and the bill and on the throat there is bare dark blue skin.
The bill is mainly black, with a yellowish base.
Like most hornbills, it has a blackish casque on the top if its bill.
 The female has a black neck and underparts.
Berenicornis comatus is a large hornbill, reaching a length of 83–102 centimetres (33–40 in) and a weight of 1.3–1.5 kilograms (2.9–3.3 lb). Females are smaller than males. The plumage is black and white. The head, neck, breast and tail are white, while the remaining plumage is black. It has a white crown feathers erected in a crest (hence the common name). Between the eye and the bill and on the throat there is bare dark blue skin. The bill is mainly black, with a yellowish base. Like most hornbills, it has a blackish casque on the top if its bill.  The female has a black neck and underparts.
White-crowned hornbill