This finch occurs in the forests of the Serranía de Perijá. A survey recorded solitary birds or pairs searching low secondary-forest undergrowth and forest edges.
The crown, nape, and sides of the head are black, with a broken grey crown stripe. The back and wings are olive, the underside is white, and a narrow black band crosses the breast.
In a Serranía de Perijá survey, solitary birds or pairs were recorded searching the low undergrowth of secondary-forest patches and forest edges. They also searched near leaf litter.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.