General: 6 to 7 inches in length.

Male: Buff-white throat, breast, and belly. Black spots on its sides and flanks. Black back with white barring that extends to the nape. Black rump. Black wings with white spots on flight feathers and coverts. Black tail with black and white barred outer feathers. Buff-white head with red crown and hindneck. Black forehead. Black eyeline and black stripe extending from bill forms a "c" shaped facial pattern.

Female: Similar to male, except has black forehead, crown, cap, and hindneck.

Juveniles: Juveniles of both sexes are similar to the male, except it has a less extensive red crown and hindneck.

Arid areas, desert woodlands and thickets.

Nesting

4-5 white eggs with a 13 day incubation period. Fledging occurs ? days after hatching. The nest is a cavity in a tree, cactus, pole, or post.