A large, heavy-billed finch. Male is black above and white below with white streaks and spots on the wings. Female is patchy black above and yellow below with heavy black streaking all over the underparts. Male closely resembles White-winged Grosbeak, but Spot-winged has a yellow (not black) chest, and smaller and more numerous spots on the wings. Inhabits submontane areas, particularly in mixed forests. Often seen in pairs or small flocks, but may gather in large flocks near fruiting trees. Call is a mellow descending note.