This small Darwin's finch lives in highlands and forest transition zones of the Galápagos. The male's black hood develops with age, with differences among islands.
In males, a cap-like black marking spreads from the face over the head with age. The upperparts are olive and the underparts cream. Males on San Cristóbal rarely become black all over and instead show heavy streaking on the upper breast. Females and young males do not develop the black cap.
It gleans insects and larvae from trees and moss, and also eats fruit, seeds, young leaves, flowers, and nectar. Foods vary between forest zones and seasons.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.