It is similar in appearance to the red-capped forest warbler (Artisornis metopias), but that species has a much shorter beak, a more russet head and a rust-washed breast.

It is an uncommon, and elusive species occurring at a low density, and the total number of mature birds is estimated to be thirty to two hundred.

[1] The total population of the Mozambique forest warbler is conservatively estimated to include 50-249 mature individuals, but may be more numerous, and is considered stable.

[10] In 1945 the British ornithologist Constantine Benson identified a second population from bird skins collected by Jali Makawa in the Njesi Highlands of northern Mozambique.

Benson classified the Mozambique birds as a subspecies of the long-billed forest warbler, Apalis moreaui sousae.

[11] The Njesi Highlands and Usambara Plateau are separated by 1,000 km (621 mi) and the bird is not known to occur in the intervening area.