Fairly common, rather drab, small terrestrial flycatcher of puna habitats in the high Andes, especially bogs and lakeshores with rocky surroundings and bunchgrasses. Virtual absence of field marks is a field mark: plumage lacks strong contrast or color, but hindcrown has dull rusty blush, visible with good views, and face has very weak paler eyebrow. Much smaller than White-fronted Ground-Tyrant, which is often found in same areas.