A typical thrush in shape, round-bodied and long-tailed. Shows an incredible array of colors and patterns across its huge range. Common color themes include a uniformly dark body with a paler white/gray/orange head; an entirely glossy-black body with a yellow eye-ring and legs; and a black body with a red belly and a black or pale head and chest. On mountainous islands, inhabits mostly high-altitude forest, but occurs near sea level on smaller and/or flatter islands, such as in Vanuatu. Could be confused with other Turdus thrushes. Voice is variable across range, but generally includes a melodic flute-like song and a snappy, harsh “chik-chik-chik” or a long thin hissing whistle.