Large woodcreeper with a relatively small head and a long, robust, and slightly decurved bill. Found in humid forests including Araucaria forest where it forages at all levels. Rufous-brown body with a pale face and throat, and buff streaking on the neck and crown. The breast is buffy with white streaks and the belly is barred. Sometimes found in association with army-ant swarms or mixed-species flocks. Loud, far-carrying song is a whine followed by a descending series of 4–6 disyllabic whistles.