Both sexes show a clean black head and rufous underparts. Males vary considerably across the range. The wing can be completely rufous or have a white stripe; the back can be rufous or gray; and the central tail feathers can be slightly or greatly elongated. Both sexes have a blue bill and ring around the eye. Found in various types of forest and in plantations and thickets. Restless, active, mid-story bird that often joins mixed-species feeding flocks. Call is a series of tearing “shreet” notes, and song a fast, bubbling series of “twee” notes. Similar to other paradise-flycatchers, but easily separated by the rufous underparts and cleanly demarcated black head.