[3] Birds are around 20 cm long, and males are a bright blue with a black spotted back.

It inhabits the canopy of the lowland Atlantic forest, and has a diet of seeds, berries, especially from Byrsonima sericea and ficuses,[3] fruit, caterpillars, and other insects.

It shares its habitat with other endemic birds, such as the saffron toucanet and pin-tailed manakin.

Continued habitat fragmentation has also complicated matters, sending populations into a sharp decline.

Some protected areas, such as the RPPN Estação Veracel and Reserva Serra Bonita, are now thought to serve as bastions for this species.