A tiny bird of lowland and foothill forest and edge. Golden-olive above, darker on the edge of the wing, with white underparts and dark gray from the sides of the throat becoming broad streaks on the sides of the chest. Note the slightly hooked bill and the red eye. From below, somewhat similar to Pygmy Flowerpecker with its dark sides, but Olive-backed has a golden-olive back. Voice includes a sweet, high-pitched upslurred whistle and a sharp “tsik!” call, sometimes run together in a rapid series.