A little larger than the rolinha-caldo-de-feijão, with whom it is occasionally in the same groups. Nevertheless, it is more common in clearings and dry and shut forest interior, while the rolhinha prefers open areas. The female, with brown dominant tone, can be confused with the female of rolinha-caldo-de-feijão. However, the plumage is more like a red tone, and the wings have more and more reddish spots.
The male is unmistakable, the dominant bluish gray tone (pictured), highlighting the major spots in the wings and a lighter head. It lives in pairs, occasionally in small groups. Migratory movements have been found in the Atlantic (Espírito Santo and South Bay), but are not yet mapped. In the Pantanal, their numbers fluctuate throughout the year, being most observed between July and December.
It feeds on seeds besides insects, an unusual item in the family. It builds nests as rolhinhas, in shrubs or tree although it has not been recorded, reproducing in the reserve. In the breeding season, males sing a lot, especially during hot days. It´s a serious, short, and clear calling.
It occurs in all forested habitats of RPPN, including cambarazais in the dry season. Uses the roads, especially when crossing forest areas. Common in riparian forests of the rivers Cuiabá and São Lourenço, appearing sometimes on the beaches during the early morning.