A beautiful bushshrike of dry country. Both sexes are gray, black, and white, though females are somewhat duller. Always shows some red on the crown, but there is geographical variation: crown is fully red in some areas and partially black in other areas. Found in dry savanna and thornscrub with dense undergrowth. Generally uncommon and inconspicuous. The distinctive song is a duet in which the male gives a loud, nasal “kwee” and the female makes a ratcheting series.