Small rufous-brown bird found in the undergrowth of temperate forest from 2,500–3,700 m. Overall quite plain with distinctive white throat and eyebrow. Also note spiky rufous tail. Sexes alike. Uncommon and easily overlooked as singles or pairs forage close to the ground among mossy thickets and tangles, sometimes following mixed-species flocks. Listen for piercing high-pitched calls and trilled song.