Turbicellepora avicularis produces orange colonies with variable form. Colonies range from low mounds and nodules to stout, irregularly lobed or erect forms with tapered branches. Colonies size may reach 60 by 30 mm and frequently this species develops as thick multi-layered cylinders surrounding erect substrates. Autozooids are broad and convex with a variable orientation. Flat decumbent autozooids occur at the colony margin and partly, or mostly, erect autozooids towards the centre of the colony.
Turbicellepora avicularis is widespread and common off all British coasts. It ranges from the Mediterranean to the Faroe Isles, northern Norway and southern Iceland. It is thought not to occur in Arctic Seas.
The species is able to colonise a wide variety of substrates and occurs especially on shells, large hydroids and other bryozoans. It ranges from the lower shore to at least 130 m. In Mediterranean it is widespread and common in shallow coastal waters.