Small wren-like bird with a long, pointed tail. Warm reddish brown with extensive white streaking on the undersides and face; also look for its thin white eyebrow and small reddish-orange throat patch. Forages singly or in pairs on the ground and in shrubs in low forest near the treeline; particularly likes Polylepis forests. Compared to similar streaked canasteros, which are mostly found in more open, grassy habitats without trees, look for its white eyebrow and unmarked back and wings.