Small, strongly-marked tanager. It inhabits Andean cloud forest in the western part of its range, and lowland and foothill forest elsewhere. Plumage is greenish overall, paler on head and underparts, and profusely marked with black spots and chevrons. Spots on female and immature are duller. Separated from other similar tanagers by lack of yellow on underparts, and by pale grayish face and throat. Generally stays high in the trees, where it is a common member of mixed-species flocks.