Small, graceful ground-dwelling songbird of open areas with patches of low shrubby cover. Strongly streaked overall with a warm brown back and creamy underparts. Noticeably smaller than Richard's and Paddyfield Pipits, slenderer in appearance than American and Red-throated. Bold black-and-white streaks on back distinguish Pechora from other species. Song is an almost insect-like hard buzzing trill with harsher nasal elements. Call is a hard “tsik.”