Small, plain bird that is gray above and white below with a bright yellow head. Short, stout, and sharply pointed bill. Adult male: yellow head and throat, dark eye and lores, gray nape, gray wings with rufous shoulders (often obscured), paler gray underparts, gray tail, and dark legs. Adult female: paler version of male. Juvenile: plain gray, pale base of lower mandible. Juvenile distinguished from similar species mainly by bill shape and coloration.

Length: 11 (cm) Wingspan: 16 (cm)

Voice:

Low pitched tee-too-too. Tee-too-tee-tee. High seew. Contact call a rapid series of dry tik notes. Nasal klue.

Habitat:

Desert scrub. Dry washes with low thorny vegetation, usually within 20 feet of the ground.

Behavior:

Moves and flits constantly. Constantly flicks tail up. Often hangs upside down while foraging. Sometimes flocks with other species.

Feeding:

Diet consists of insects, spiders; occasionally nectar, berries, seeds and small fruits. May visit hummingbird feeders.