A distinctive small black, white, and red honeyeater with a downcurved bill. Jet black with diagnostic red patches on rear crown, throat, and rump, as well as a clean white belly. The black areas are gray on juveniles. Singles or pairs found in forest, forest edge, and scrub within the lowlands and foothills on Timor. Unmistakable in its limited range. Simple, very high-pitched song consists of rapid-fire notes, “si-si-si-si-si-si-si”; also gives “zit” call notes.