Attractive bird found in a variety of semiopen and lightly wooded habitats, mainly in drier areas of the Andes, as well as across the lowlands from northern Argentina to southern Brazil. Usually in pairs or small groups, not with mixed-species flocks. Forages low to high in shrubs and trees. Male is colorful, with a bright blue head and yellow underparts and rump; back is greenish in Chile and north in the Andes to Ecuador, but black in eastern lowlands. Female is rather drab and is best identified by stout bill and presence of males.