Very large wren that tends to be common throughout its wide range. Overall brownish plumage is geographically variable - northern populations have dense dark brown spots on paler underparts, while southern populations are more uniformly medium-brown above and below, with a few spots on the lower belly and vent. Mostly found in the canopy of humid forests, including disturbed areas; southern populations also occur in tangles and edges of semi-humid woodland. Distinctive song of loud, mellow, chortling notes is a regular sound anywhere this species occurs.