A rare, medium-sized honeyeater of mid-montane forest canopy. Overall yellowish color with faint streaking, strongest on the head. Two prominent lines behind the eye, dark below and pale above, also a prominent yellowish tuft in the flank. Similar to Gray-streaked and Rufous-backed Honeyeaters, but Yellow-streaked is slightly smaller and has a yellowish rather than gray base color and lacks the rufous flanks. Also similar to Leaden but is slightly larger and again differs in color. Call, a meek, double, downslurred whistle “piuu piuu”.