Chunky, brightly-colored redstart found along rushing boulder-strewn mountain streams. Black with a wine-red belly and tail and a blazing white cap; in poor lighting, appears all dark save for the cap. Sexes are similar. Frequently flicks its tail up and down and flares it open while perched on a streamside rock or stump. Call is a long sharp whistle with an abrupt ending, with a far-carrying, ventriloquistic quality.