Both sexes are monomorphic have almost all their fullness with white feathers, with a red mask around the eye, tuft, tip of wings and black tail and has red feet.

Occur in coniferous mountains and mixed forests, besides subalpine birch and rhododendron bushes. Found between 3,500 and 4,300 m above sea level, in winter, during the breeding season, it descends to 2,800 m altitude.