A medium-sized, long-billed sunbird in which males and females are very different. Males have a green head, a purple forehead, a red-and-yellow band across the chest, and a black belly. Females are plain, with olive-gray on the back and pale gray below. Found in dry thorn savanna, woodland, and gardens. Range does not overlap with any other species in which the males have a red belly band. Females can be identified with caution by their combination of plain, unstreaked underparts, long bill, and conspicuous pale eyebrow. Common vocalizations include a “vit” call and a dry trill.