The Black-and-red Broadbill ranges across Southeast Asia, inhabiting tropical lowland and mangrove and other wetlands and swamp forests, particularly near water or along rivers in countries like West Malaysia and Borneo, often showing tolerance for disturbed riverine habitats, and even fairly degraded areas, with not many tall or mature trees.

They are easily identified by its striking contrast midnight black upperparts, deep maroon-red underparts and neck-band, a narrow black breast-band, long white wing slashes, and a prominent, bulbous blue-and-yellow bill giving it a comical look. It lives and builts its nest near or hanging over water, streams, rivers or other waterways.

This broadbill is known for its loud, harsh, and often, accelerating calls, a series of high-pitched coos that increase in speed and pitch, turning into loud, harsh, or grating whistles quite unlike the calls of other broadbills.

In Penang state it is know only from the freshwater swamp forest at Air Hiitam Dalam Forest Reserve, and not recorded on the Island.