It is uncommon in subtropical or tropical moist montane forest above 750 m (2,460 ft) elevation.

A brightly coloured bird, the golden-browed chlorophonia is distinctive within its range.

The male is bright green above and yellow below, with a wide golden-yellow eyebrow stripe and a violet-blue cap.

The female is similar, but without the golden brow and yellow breast; these are both replaced with green.

There is a legend of how this bird used to have a wonderful singing voice, but offered that to the volcano Poás to prevent a young woman from having to be sacrificed, thus keeping the volcano from erupting.