The adult bird has a total length of 20 to 22 cm, a wingspan of about 28 cm, and a weight of 23 to 42 grams. The top of the head and the occiput are black, with a long erect crest, a red patch behind the eyes, the cheeks are white, the cheek lines are black, the throat is white, and there is a black stripe on each side from the lower neck to the chest, and the back edge of the stripe turns. is brown. The upper body and tail feathers are brown, the outer tail feathers have white terminal spots, the lower body is white, and the tail coverts are red [2] . Iris brown, mouth and feet black. The subspecies monticola has a complete black thorax [3] . The feather color of the female bird is similar to that of the male bird, but the black feathers are replaced by dark brown [4] .
The rear of the sub-adult is black without red patches, and the tail coverts are brown.
The call is a loud and continuous chirping call, a short and sweet whistle of two or three syllables wit-t-waet; also a pleasing prroop sound [3] .