Sleek but sturdy gray bird with fierce yellow eyes. Appearance differs geographically; across much of range, males are gray overall, and females have black-barred rump and underparts, but birds in the southern Philippines have densely-barred rumps and underparts in both sexes. Occurs widely in lowland and foothill forest and forest edge, foraging at middle and upper levels, often with other species. Frequently gives loud scratchy screeches, often in a descending series.