the lilac kingfisher is long. it has the typical kingfisher shape, with a short tail and long bill. the adult male of the nominate race, "c. c. cyanotis", has a brown crown and back and rufous rump and tail. it has a blue eye mask, separated from the crown by a white line, and a pale lilac ruff of long stiffened ear covert feathers. the underparts are white and the wings are blue, separated by a white line from the brown back. the red bill is large and flattened. in flight, the underwings are white with a black "wrist" patch.