A medium-sized to fairly large bird of tall forest from the lowlands to low elevations in the mountains. Black on the face, chest, and edge to the wing, with a blackish-blue body and pale blue crown stripe, wing patch, rump, and outer tail. Note the bright red eye. Female is similar to male but slightly duller. Somewhat similar to Asian Glassy Starling or Blackish Cuckooshrike, but Philippine Fairy Bluebird has distinctive blue patterning on the upperparts. Song consists of medium-pitched whistled phrases, including distinctive “whip!” notes.