Generally scarce to fairly common but easy to miss due to its quiet, unobtrusive behaviour. It prefers mixed woodland and edges, as well as parks, gardens, orchards, and farmland with hedgerows or small wooded areas. Often seen in pairs or small groups, it feeds slowly and deliberately on buds and fruit and seldom comes to feeders. The male is striking, with a black cap, vivid pink cheeks and breast, and a blue-grey back. The female is more subdued in colour but still shows the black cap and a short, dark bill. A white rump patch is usually noticeable only in flight. Soft, wistful whistling calls may be the first clue to its presence

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