A breeding male has a glossy black head, back, and chest with a white belly. The orange pectoral tufts may show when he is excited or displaying. The species feeds mainly on nectar.
In breeding plumage, the male's head, back, throat, and chest are glossy black, while the belly is white. The orange pectoral tufts are seldom visible except when the bird is excited or displaying.
It probes flowers for nectar while perched, and also searches flowers for spiders and small insects. It can catch insects in the air as well. Nectar is its main food, supplemented by arthropods.
In southern Africa, the female builds an oval nest with an entrance high on the side, binding dry grass, plant fibres, bark and dead leaves with spider web. Soft seed fibres or animal hair line the interior.
Females have greyish-brown heads and upperparts, with white to off-white underparts from the chin to the vent. The tail is blackish, and the greyish-brown cheeks contrast with the pale underside.
Juveniles resemble adult females but have browner upperparts and a yellow wash below. Young males show variable blackish feathering on the throat.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.