This small bird lives in the upper subtropical and temperate Andes. It is gray above, rufous below, and has a yellow forecrown. It often follows mixed-species flocks near bamboo.
It is rich rufous below and steely gray above, with a shining yellow forecrown and a stout dark bill. The sexes are similar.
It lives in the understory of upper subtropical and temperate Andean forests, especially around bamboo patches. It occurs in pairs or small groups and almost always follows mixed-species flocks.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.