Found in open woodland, chaparral, scrub-oak habitats, and riparian thickets.

White, rufous, and black colors of male are accented by the white spots on the upper part of the bird wing. Female is somewhat duller.

Nests on the ground, but also in shrubs. Nest is a cup-shaped structure built from bark shreds, grasses, small roots, twigs, and leaves. Diet consists of insects, spiders, seeds, acorns, and fruit.