Small rail of forest understory. Extremely shy and elusive bird that is unlikely to be seen unless expressly looking for it. Male has a rufous hood and black back with buff spots. Female plain and brown. Both sexes have a barred tail. Found in the understory of thick forest and adjacent scrub and gardens. Restricted to montane forest over large portions of its range. Call is a long, hollow hoot. Most other flufftails are not found in forest. Separated from White-spotted Flufftail by the buff spots of the male and the plainer appearance of the female.