It was closely related to the other species of Hawaiian thrushes, the Puaiohi (M. palmeri), the ʻŌmaʻo (M. obscurus) and the likely-extinct olomaʻo (M. lanaiensis).

Its song was a complex melody composed of flute-like notes, liquid warbles, buzzy trills, and gurgling whistles.

The call was a raspy "braak," with an alternate high pitched note similar to a police whistle.

The bird occurred in the understory of densely vegetated gulches, where it often perched motionlessly in a hunched posture.

Like other native Hawaiian thrushes, it often quivered its wings and fed primarily on fruit and insects.