A fairly large bird of lowland and montane forest. Dark gray-brown above with a rather long barred tail, a rufous chest, a gray hood, and a white throat. Juvenile has a white chest with dark flecks. Note the yellow eye-ring and base to the black bill. Omnivorous, feeding on both insects and also sometimes berries. Somewhat similar to Plaintive Cuckoo, but larger. Voice is the safest identification feature. Song is a repeated, descending series of forceful whistled notes, sometimes becoming frantic.