This tanager inhabits Cerrado and open grassland with low trees in central Brazil. Its black head, white rump and rufous throat are distinctive; it may move in small groups or mixed flocks.
It is about 16 cm long. The sexes are similar, with black head and back, a conspicuous white rump and a rufous throat.
It searches for arthropods on low trees, shrubs and the ground, and sometimes catches prey in the air. Fruit is also eaten during the rainy season. Territorial groups of about three to six birds and mixed flocks are reported.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.