The shrike-babblers range in size from 11.5–20 cm in length and weigh 10-48 g. They are divergent in plumage and size but all possess a stout black hooked bill, short rictal bristles and a distinctive juvenile plumage.

They all exhibit sexual dimorphism in plumage, with the males generally brighter.

The genus was created by Swainson in 1832 based on the etymology that their wings were red.

The genus characteristics include a short bill with the culmen sharply ridged with hooked and notched tip.

The scales on the front of the tarsus are sometimes fused to form a long scutum.