Adult Description
- Medium-sized songbird.
- Short, pointed tail.
- Short conical bill.
- Breeding male black below, white on back.
- Female and nonbreeding male yellowish brown with bold black stripes on head and back.
Male Description
Breeding (Alternate) Plumage: Face, chest, belly, tail, and wings black. Shoulders, lower back, and rump white to pale gray. Straw-colored back of head. Bill glossy black.
Nonbreeding (Basic) Plumage: Underparts yellowish buff. Black streaks on sides, back, and under tail. Black stripe behind eyes and on top of head. Buff stripe above eyes and in center of crown. Tail and wings brownish. Bill pale.
Female Description
Underparts yellowish buff. Black streaks on sides, back, and under tail. Black stripe behind eyes and on top of head. Buff stripe above eyes and in center of crown. Tail and wings brownish. Bill pale.Immature Description
Similar to female, but more yellow.