Small, compact antbird with a short tail. Males have black-and-white streaks on the head, mantle, and underparts; brown upperparts; and rusty flanks. Females have a brownish mantle and a streaked head. Found in the understory of humid forests, favoring edges and tree-falls. The song starts with 4-5 clear and increasingly loud notes and finishes with descending harsh notes, similar to Spix’s and Rondonia Warbling-Antbirds. The call, a series of typically four screechy notes, is diagnostic of Manicore Warbling-Antbird, as are the stronger rufous edges to the tail.