A small warbler-like bird usually seen in small groups or flocks foraging high above the ground in the forest or forest edge. Pale below with a distinct black chest band separating the white throat from the light gray belly, giving these eremomelas a distinctive “belted” appearance. Upperparts are uniformly gray except for a reddish cap and dark face. Overlaps locally with Turner’s Eremomela in the eastern part of its range, but note Rufous-crowned Eremomela’s extensive reddish cap and big, broad black chest band. Calls consist of a buzzy, sometimes multi-parted “brzrt,” as well as higher-pitched twittering calls sometimes interspersed with more whistled notes and trills.