It weighs between 1.5 to 1.75 ounces, and has short rounded wings, which are slightly shorter than its tail. It has prominently hooded mandibles and a maxillary, commonly referred to as a tooth, on its bill.

Its plumage is white, gray, black and brown. Coloration includes a black mask, which covers the lores and ocular region of the head; a demarcation between the black flight feathers; white underparts and rump; gray back and patches of white on the wings and tail.

It is found throughout xeric habitat on the island, including woodlands and maritime desert scrub.

It consumes arthropods, lizards, mice and small birds, like wrens and warblers.

The species reaches maturity after one year and lays clutches of four to six eggs, which are incubated 15 to 18 days. Young fledge approximately 2.5 to 3 weeks post-hatch, and adults feed fledglings for another three to four weeks.