It is threatened by habitat loss and predation by introduced species, and is currently classified as Critically endangered, with fewer than 500 individuals left in the wild.

It has completely white plumage on its crown, mantle, forehead, and center upper back along with featuring a blue eye-stripe pattern ending as broken line behind head.

It inhabits tropical moist lowland forests, where it prefers thick, humid vegetation along mountain streams and valleys.

The population has rapidly declined in recent decades, and it has become extinct on several smaller islands of the group, being reported only from Tahuata in 2011.

Its forest habitat suffers from the presence of introduced species like feral cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and pigs.