A small, distinctive, bright rufous upland cisticola. Remarkably plain: rufous on the upperparts and buff below. The unmarked face often has a gentle expression. Found locally in savanna and dry woodland. Inconspicuous and somewhat secretive. Can be similar to Rufous and Siffling Cisticolas but always plainer and more rufous. The vocalizations include a rising squeaky note and lower spitting notes.