Fairly widespread across northern Amazonia. Striking tanager found in the canopy in forest, edges, plantations, and gardens. Mostly seen in pairs or small single-species groups. Depending on the light can look quite dark, but has a mostly blue head and breast with black on the crown and around the bill, and blue flanks with black spots. Upperparts are mostly black with some blue highlights. Yellow belly. The call is a series of fast and high-pitched “psii” notes.