It is near endemic to the northern part of the Philippines but is also found on the Taiwanese islands of Lüdao and Lanyu.

EBird describes the bird as " Tiny songbird, green above, gray below, with yellow throat and broad white ring around the eye.

Forages actively in tropical broadleaf forests and gardens, usually in small flocks, giving harsh, buzzy calls.

"[2] Two subspecies are recognized: Forages in the understory and often joins mixed-species flocks with other small birds.

[4] Has a wide range of habitats that include clearings, fishponds, rivers, second growth scrubland, and forest edge.