The bird belongs to the family Leiothrichidae, and is endemic to Vietnam and Laos. It is about 17–19 cm long. Adults have a black head and nape, a reddish-brown back and rump, and a belly marked with numerous black bands on a grayish-white background. The wings and wing coverts are black with silvery tones, and the throat is white. The bird is known for its loud, resonant call. Its typical habitats are evergreen broadleaf forests and mixed broadleaf–coniferous forests.

It is a shy and sedentary species, usually found in pairs or small flocks. Its diet consists mainly of insects, seeds, and berries. The species is listed as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List.