Fairly stocky, sparrowlike bird of highland forests. Occurs mainly in humid evergreen and pine-oak forest understory, often in brushy flower banks and shady canyons, where typically skulking and difficult to see well. Feeds on or near the ground, usually in pairs. White throat stands out against black cheeks and narrow black breast band (birds of Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, lack breast band); also note narrow tawny eyebrow and dark rusty cap. Collared Towhee is larger and brighter with big black collar and whitish eyebrow.