The Rote Myzomela was described in 2017 from Rote Island, Indonesia. Plumage and vocal differences distinguish it from its close relative on Sumba, and records come from several parts of Rote.
Males have a bright red head, nape and upper back, a black breast band, and olive-grey underparts. Females can be difficult to distinguish from related species.
It has been recorded in forest, forest edge and dry woodland. The original paper also reports birds visiting flowering teak near villages.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.