Medium-sized songbird, somewhat similar in appearance to a laughingthrush but proportionally larger-headed and shorter-tailed. Dark rusty-brown head, pale eyes, rufous wings finely barred in black, and intricate striped pattern in breast and collar make this species unmistakeable when seen well. Moves in small flocks through mountainous forests (1500-3000 m), usually in lower levels of forest and shrubs, giving varied purring or trilled notes.