Long-legged babbler with an almost nonexistent stump for a tail, found in primary and secondary evergreen lowland and foothill forest. Warm brown overall with paler underparts and a gray face with slightly moustached appearance. Upright stance and general profile make it seem almost pitta-like. Forages on or very close to the ground. Not as social as other forest babblers: typically encountered singly or in pairs. Calls are often dry and insect-like or mechanical. Song comprises a beginning phrase of dry chattering notes and a series of around half a dozen descending whistles.