The Chestnut-crested Cotinga occurs in the canopy of subtropical and temperate Andean forests. It has a red eye, orange throat and neck, streaked pale belly, and chestnut crest.
It has a short bill and tail, orange throat and neck, dark streaks on a pale yellowish belly, and a red eye. A small chestnut shoulder patch and usually flat crest are also noted.
It is usually seen alone or in pairs in the canopy. eBird describes it as favoring more intact forest and lower elevations than the Red-crested Cotinga.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.