Rare and beautiful bird of high Andean cloud forest, at least in some places found especially in bamboo. Very distinctive with black breast band, face, and throat, mostly red bill, yellow eye, and white tail tips. Sexes look alike. Generally found alone or in pairs at lower to middle levels in the forest, and may occasionally join mixed-species flocks. Song is a soft, repeated “chu-chu-chu-chu-whit?”; also gives sharp, metallic squeaks.