It is 19–21 cm long. The upperparts are mainly plain grey. The underparts are pale grey with white throat and undertail-coverts. The eyes are bright coral-red, for which the bird is named.
This species was formerly placed in the genus Xolmis but was moved to the resurrected genus Pyrope following the publication of a genetic analysis in 2020.[4][5][6]
^Jaramillo, Alvaro; Burke, Peter & Beadle, David (2003) Field Guide to the Birds of Chile, Christopher Helm, London.
^Woods, Robin W. (1988) Guide to Birds of the Falkland Islands, Anthony Nelson, Oswestry.
^Chesser, R.T.; Harvey, M.H.; Brumfield, R.T.; Derryberry, E.P. (2020). "A revised classification of the Xolmiini (Aves: Tyrannidae: Fluvicolinae), including a new genus for Muscisaxicola fluviatilis". Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 133 (1): 35–48. doi:10.2988/20-00005.