A small to medium-sized honeyeater of lowland and foothill secondary forest on New Britain. Dull gray plumage which is darker on the head and in flight has white underwings. Found in the understory where it usually forages for epiphytic flowers. Co-occurs with Sclater’s, Red and Black-bellied Myzomelas but Ashy is larger and lacks red. Similar to Bismarck Black Myzomela and Black Sunbird, but Ashy is larger and gray rather than black. Call, a scratchy, nasal “rek” given in an uneven rhythm.