This resident bird ranges through mountain areas from southeastern Mexico into northern Central America. Its slate-blue upperparts, black facial mask, and white underparts form a clear contrast.
Adults have reddish eyes, slate-blue heads and upperparts, and a black facial mask. The throat and underparts are white; the bill and legs are dark.
It uses habitats from humid forest to semi-arid scrub, including forest edges and secondary growth. It builds a cup nest from small twigs, rootlets, and plant fibers; the female lays two blue eggs.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.