Medium-sized robin with orange underparts and an olive-brown back. The tail is uniformly rufous, lacking the dark center of a typical robin-chat. There is some geographical variation, with the western birds showing a black cap and the eastern birds a gray one. Found in the undergrowth of various forest types at low and middle elevations. Shy and retiring. The song is a highly variable mix of notes which usually includes imitations of other bird species. Similar to akalats, but separated by its white eyebrow.