This bird is noted for its close association with the palm Mauritia flexuosa (moriche, buriti, ita, ité, etc.).

It has mainly black plumage, apart from a bright yellow crown, rump, thighs and wing epaulets.

The sexes are similar, but the juvenile bird is dark brown rather than black, with duller yellow patches.

Its nest is a long hanging basket of grass and other plant fibers, suspended from the end of a moriche palm branch.

[7] It is affected to some extent by trapping for the cagebird[8] trade, but can cope with heavy disturbance to its habitat as long as some moriche palms remain.