Highly social inhabitant of lowland forests, unlike any other tit in both size and coloration; coal-black with a bright yellow belly and sharply upswept crest. Closer in size to a medium-sized bulbul than to a Japanese or Coal Tit. Tends to stick to the canopy, where it readily associates with other species in mixed flocks. Very vocal, often giving squeaky, shrill calls. Song consists of repeated high-pitched whistles, sometimes with an inflected quality.