The pink bill and bright, pale yellow eye-ring are diagnostic in both sexes.
Male has almost entirely red head and breast. Female is much duller, with only the rump and upper tail pink, and is otherwise sandy brown. Juvenile resembles female but lacks the yellow eye-ring and white spots.
Mixed woodland, especially near water, and throughout suburbia in Zimbabwe.
A sharp, fast 'vut-vut-vut-chit-chit' and a 'sweeep'.