This unique warbler is gray above and yellow below. Some populations have an entirely yellow face, while others have a white face that contrasts with the bright yellow crown. Like other redstarts in the Neotropics, the white tail flashes are obvious. Unmistakable in its limited range in Colombia and extreme western Venezuela. Pairs or small groups are fairly common in the upper subtropical and temperate zones in the Andes, from around 2,400-3,400m. They forage at all levels of forest and edge, often following mixed-species flocks.