The Black-backed Grosbeak has a black head and a black-and-white back. It occurs around Andean montane forest edges and valleys, preferring wetter habitats than a close relative.
The head is black, and the back and tail are black and white. The underside is yellow; dark bars may occur on the belly sides in the subspecies P. a. aureoventris. The thick bill is silver and black.
It occurs at eastern Andean montane forest edges and in some inter-Andean valleys. The account says it prefers wetter habitat than a close relative.
Black plumage extends from the head onto the breast.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.