It is a striking and colorful with a red belly, black throat, a brown head, a blue chest, rump and tail.

Juvenile is dull brown with blue in rump and tail and a horn-colored bill with a pale tip and base.

Singles or pairs inhabit forest, degraded patches, and bamboo thickets in lowlands and hills.

Song is a two-part quivering whistle, the first part rising, the second mournfully descending: “waaaaaaopop-aaaaawwwwwow.” Also gives a piercing “whit” alarm call.

Four subspecies are recognized: Forages on the forest floor by gleaning the leaf litter in search for worms and other small insects.