Nearly unmistakable; brilliantly plumaged. Adult has black head and breast, red belly, black back, black wings with white shoulder patch, and a longish black tail with white outer tail feathers. Note white spot below eye, black legs, and slender black bill. Sexes are similar.

Length: 15 (cm) Wingspan: 22 (cm)

Voice:

Low, repeated, warbled phrases; call is a whistled, soft, drawn-out note.

Habitat:

Canyons, riparian areas, montane pine, oak, and juniper woodlands.

Behavior:

Habitually fans tail, showing white outer feathers, and flicks wings; often hangs upside-down or crawls along large branches and trunks. Nest is a fine cup placed on ground, concealed by rock or overhanging vegetation.

Feeding:

Acrobatically gleans foliage or bark for a variety of insects and invertebrates; also flycatches.