Distinctive spinetail with a yellow chin and dark brown patches on otherwise cinnamon wings. Has a well-marked white eyebrow and white underparts streaked gray. Occurs in marshes with tall emergent reedy vegetation. The song starts with a trill, followed by a series of harsh notes: “d-d-d-r-r-i-i-, dirip, dirip, dirip, drip-drip-dreeuw-dreeuw.”