Fairly small tanager of pine-oak and tropical forest in foothills and highlands of Mexico; endemic. Found mainly in the canopy, usually in pairs or small groups that sometimes join mixed-species feeding flocks. Distinctive male has brilliant red head (with small black mask), greenish upperparts, and yellow underparts. Female is rather drab greenish and yellow overall with dusky gray cheeks. Female looks similar to female Hepatic Tanager but much smaller with smaller, stubbier bill and paler belly. Calls are high twitters similar to Bushtit.