A small, rare nuthatchlike bird of upper montane forest canopy. Uniform blackish plumage with pink under the end of the tail, a red face, yellow legs and a white band in the wing, visible in flight. Female has a white iris. Moves in flocks. Similar shape and habits to Papuan Sittella, but Black lives at higher elevations with little overlap. Only the juvenile coloration could be confused, but Papuan Sitella has a paler belly. Voice, a high-pitch twittering.