Males have a bright yellow head, dark green back, and an olive-green belly.
Females are duller with an olive-green head. The breeding biology of this bird is unknown, although juveniles have been seen in June, and from the end of March to mid-May females have been noted to have greatly enlarged ovaries. Island species are particularly vulnerable to one or more of these threats because of their low numbers and restricted geographical distributions. These recovery plans recommend active land management, controlling the spread of introduced plants and animals, closely monitoring new land activity or development to prevent further destruction of forest bird habitat, and the establishment of captive propagation and sperm bank programs. This area today is being protected by a multiparty group including State, federal, and private entities.