The preferred habitat is semi-open areas including light second growth, woodland edges, gardens and pasture with bushes.

The normal clutch is two pale blue or grey eggs, marked with black, brown or lilac.

The adult male is mainly black except for a scarlet rump, silvery bill and dark red iris.

Cherrie's tanagers occur in pairs, small groups, or as part of a mixed-species feeding flock, and up to a dozen birds may roost together in dense thickets at night.

Its song consists of a few clear pleasant notes, delivered in longer phrases than that of its Caribbean relative.