Their face and underparts are neutral gray with faint white streaks on their chin and throat.

By far the largest area encompasses southeastern Peru in southeastern Ucayali, northern Cuzco, and most of Madre de Dios departments; Pando and La Paz departments in northern Bolivia; and western Brazil's Acre state.

It almost exclusively inhabits stands of Guadua bamboo in partially shaded forest edges such as along watercourses and roads.

Pairs usually forage in the tops of bamboo stands and the canopy just above them, typically between about 4 and 15 m (15 and 50 ft) above the ground.

Females respond with a series of deep "kl'du" notes; both members of a pair may also sing this in duet.

The species' call is "a descending chortling series of musical, hooting whistles "t'hee'hoo'lululululu".

Nonetheless, in the long term Manu Antbird is vulnerable to widespread habitat loss in Amazonia.