Very small, rather skulking flycatcher of dense tangles and thickets in humid tropical lowlands. Hops around like a sluggish warbler, often pausing motionless for long periods. Plumage is similar to many flycatchers—grayish head, olive upperparts with yellowish wing edgings, and pale yellowish belly—but note the rather long bill, pale eyes, habitat, and behavior. Similar Northern Bentbill favors more open forest understory, perches more upright, and has bent bill.