Very small, stub-tailed wren of humid tropical lowland forest. Favors forest understory, where usually found near or on the ground. Heard far more often than seen, and is notably elusive, even in fairly open understory. Common call is a metallic “peenk”; rather froglike and difficult to trace. Varied whistled songs rather short, usually introduced with a quiet whistled hiss. Note the boldly striped face, white bib, rich dark brown upperparts, and short tail. Gray-breasted Wood-Wren occurs in highlands.