Males have long feathers on their wings, some of them decorated with a complex pattern of ocelli. The secondary wing feathers, which in other birds are of great importance for flight, in the royal argos play a very important role during courtship. Females, much more discreet than males and smaller in size, have shorter and darker plumage, lacking ocelli. Both sexes have thin, light blue skin on the face.

They are birds with solitary habits most of the year, except during the breeding season, when the females visit the male's territory to reproduce. The latter are very territorial and keep the courtship area clean of leaves, stones and sticks. After mating, the female will lay two eggs that she will incubate for 24-26 days. She will do it alone, since the male does not participate in the formation of the nest, incubation or raising the chicks.