Fairly large, chunky, brownish bird of Andean cloud forest from Venezuela to Bolivia. Distinctive in most of range with its bright white cheeks that flare out to the side. Otherwise warm brown with rufous tail, streaked back, thin pale eyebrow, and scaly pattern on breast. Sexes alike. Usually found singly or in pairs, often following a mixed-species flock through the middle and upper levels of the subtropical and temperate forest zone from around 2,000–3,200 m. Hops conspicuously along large limbs, probing into moss clumps and bromeliads. Range only overlaps slightly with Buffy Tuftedcheek, which is found at lower elevations and has an unstreaked back and a buffy tinged cheek and throat.