The common name of the Bird Wrasse refers to the fish's long snout that is thought to resemble a bird's beak.

Juvenile Bird Wrasse are green above and white below with two black stripes along the length of the body. Their snout is less elongate than adults.

Bird Wrasse, are white with a black spot on each scale that gives the fish a speckled look. The top of the snout is orange, and the caudal fin is black with a white border.

Terminal phase Bird Wrasse have a blue-green body with a red line on each scale. The snout is blue-green and the caudal fin has a bright blue crescent.

This species grows to 30cm in length.

Bird Wrasse inhabit lagoons and coral-rich reef areas. It is often seen in small groups or singly. The snout is used to probe the coral for prey, primarily crustaceans, brittle stars, molluscs and small fishes.

It is found in depths from 1m to 30m.