The male has a yellow bill and its plumage is usually black with a slate-grey back and lower underparts.

The Argentine subpopulation is partially migratory, being resident in the northern part, while southernmost breeders spend the Austral winter further north.

Some populations in northern South America also take part in local movements, but these are not well understood.

The yellow-legged thrush mainly feeds in trees and bushes, infrequently on the ground, and mostly eats fruits and berries, e.g., Melastomataceae.

However, the yellow-legged thrush is a shy species, and the female in particular is difficult to see, since she does not sing and has a cryptic coloration.