The only shrike in the region to have a large, white rumpp, which is conspicuous (in male) when it is spread and puffed up during display. At other times the bird resembles a small boubou but has a shorter tail, white wing coverts and a bright red eye.
Male is glossy black above. Female is duller than male, and has a white eyebrow. Juvenile resembles female but has a brown eye.
A wide variety of woodland and forests.
A sharp, repeated 'chick, weeo'.