Rufous-brown on the wings, back, and tail, with a gray head, heavily-streaked pale underparts, and a black face and moustache stripe.

Found singly, in pairs and small parties but is most often seen in mixed species flocks with other small forest birds like Golden-crowned babbler, Blue-headed fantail, Rufous paradise flycatcher, Lemon-throated leaf warbler, Yellow-wattled bulbul, white-eyes, sunbirds and flowerpeckers.

It is primarily a bird of forest floor and understorey, although it is sometimes also found in the middle and upper storeys.

It will indirectly benefit from the conservation of other North Luzon species like the Critically Endangered Isabela oriole.

The stronghold of the Isabela oriole in Baggao is being proposed as a protected area and will thus preserve (on paper) key habitat for this beautiful babbler.