This small hummingbird differs in appearance by sex and feeds on nectar and small insects.
The male has a conspicuous crest and black belly. The female lacks the male's crest, has a tan to light-grey belly, and a rounded dark tail.
It feeds on nectar and also catches small insects. In observations on St. Eustatius, males defended feeding places while females visited dispersed flowers on traplines.
The male has a short, straight black bill.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.