Medium-sized, slender songbird, dark above, white below; rather large for a minivet. Male has white forecrown and brow, lacking in female. In both sexes, white of breast curves up behind black ear coverts, producing a distinctive head pattern. Both also show dusky patches on the sides of the breast that make a “vested” appearance. Inhabits lowland to montane forests, where typically forages in small flocks. Gives a dry trilling call, often in flight.