Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.

Measuring 14 to 15 centimetres (5.5 to 5.9 in), the adult white-winged robin has black plumage, with largely white wings.

The bill and feet are black, and the eyes are dark brown.

[2] Within the forest the robin is found in pairs or small troops of several birds in the understory or on the ground.

[3][4] Sibley and Ahlquist's DNA-DNA hybridisation studies placed this group in a Corvida parvorder comprising many tropical and Australian passerines, including pardalotes, fairy-wrens, honeyeaters, and crows.