A typical scimitar-babbler, moving noisily through the undergrowth in pairs or small flocks while probing for prey with a long, curved bill. Simply colored: brown above and white below with a black mask and a bright red bill. Very similar-looking Coral-billed Scimitar-Babbler has warm brown underparts. Often moves with other species, particularly other babblers and fulvettas, in mixed-species flocks. Gives a range of chattering, hooting, and whistling notes. A species of hill forests, particularly evergreen broadleaf forest.