Flight is a quick flit to the nearest bush and the white tail edges will be seen. This is a characteristic bird of the Cyprus scrub vegetation and in spring and summer the male may be easily seen standing on the top of thorn bushes, etc. singing. This bird is found only in Cyprus. A very small plump lively bird of mountain pine forests. Head and throat black with large white cheek patch and white on back of head.
Upper parts grey green, under parts light brown.
Tail dark, bill very short. Flight is a flutter from one branch or tree to another. If close, two narrow white wing bars may be seen. Always busy pecking hard at fir cones or bark, hopping among the branches of pines, or coming to the ground for food. Pine forests everywhere above 3000 feet in the Troodos mountains.