Small honeyeater with brown cap. Primarily gray-brown with olive back and lighter underparts. Eye patch and band leading from the eye to back of the head are cream-colored. Juveniles have pale blue coloration around the eye and a yellow bill. Take care to separate from juvenile White-naped Honeyeater, which lacks the pale half collar around the side of the neck. The plumage of this species varies geographically. Common in eucalypt forests, where it is usually very vocal and active. Forages in small groups.