A rare bird of montane forest thickets, typically found actively foraging at the overgrown edges of clearings. Small and long-tailed with a rufous crown, pale underparts, a dull brown back and more rufous-brown wing feathers and tail, which it cocks. Vaguely similar to a fantail but none has the combination of rufous crown and pale underparts. Voice, a series of high-pitch chips and “seeep!” notes.