A dark earth-brown honeyeater with extensive white streaks on the underside and a distinctive pale tuft above the eye. Singles or pairs occupy middle levels to canopy of forest, forest edge, mangroves, and plantations in the lowlands and foothills. Similar in shape and general coloration to the entirely dark brown Halmahera Oriole, but differs in presence of underpart streaks and white coloration of crown. Calls include a weak “yip,” rasping “chup” notes, and a rising, yelping “wit-wit-wit.”