A short-tailed warbler-like bird of humid forest. Dull overall with an olive-green back and wings. The color of the underparts varies geographically: gray in the western part of the range and brown with a white belly in the east. Inhabits rainforest and secondary growth, where it typically skulks in dense understory. Similar to White-tailed Warbler, but lacks white in the outer tail. Somewhat similar to Green-backed Camaroptera, but found in denser forest and has duller coloration overall, without a bright green wing. Usually detected by its remarkable song: a fast series of high-pitched whistles that can go on for minutes. Also gives a bleating call like other camaropteras.