An easily overlooked, locally common bird found in the understory and on the ground in forests, especially in hilly terrain and near water, from the lowlands up to middle elevations. The reddish-brown back and tail are noticeable when the bird flies away in the undergrowth, but also look for the bright white eye-stripe, the gray face and crown stripe, and the bright white undersides. Distinguished from the Fire-crested Alethe by its distinctive bright white eye-line and bright pink legs. Mainly silent, but will sometimes give a short whistled “wheep!” or harsh “djar” chatter notes.