It ranges from western Mexico into western Central America, and its head and back patterns vary among subspecies groups.
In the northern scarlet-headed group, red tones are prominent on the head and males are brighter than females. Southern streak-backed groups include birds with orange heads and streaked backs.
It often forages in pairs or family groups and feeds mainly on insects, with fruit, seeds, and nectar also eaten. The female builds the nest, and both parents feed the hatchlings.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.