Boldly patterned sparrow with black head and white eyebrow. Back and tail olive-yellow, underparts white; black band across chest. Found alone or in pairs or family groups on ground or at mid-level in dense understory, second growth vegetation at forest edges, and coffee plantations. Can often be detected by listening for the movement of leaves as it forages. Song and calls are repetitive and very high-pitched. No similar species in range. Endemic to the Coastal Cordillera of Venezuela.