In the past the species was considered to be related to the Australasian robins but this was as the result of convergent evolution.

The black-banded flycatcher is small with a broad bill and distinctive plumage.

The species has a white belly, lower rump and throat with a thin black band across the chest.

The calls consist of soft whistles, some of which sound similar to the Timor stubtail.

The natural habitat of the species is lowland monsoon forests and hill forests up to 1200 m. Nothing is known about its breeding behaviour, the only observations of this are adults feeding recently fledged chicks in December.