Their upperparts, wings, and tail are similar to the male's but without black spots and the interscapular patch.

It primarily inhabits bamboo stands in montane evergreen forest though it also occurs in adjoining viny plots and other dense foliage.

[4][5] The rufous-tailed antbird is believed to be a year-round resident throughout its range, though it may make local movements when bamboo stands die.

It sometimes joins mixed-species feeding flocks that pass through its territory and rarely follows army ant swarms.

It gleans prey from leaves both live and dead, vines, and stems by reaching and lunging from a perch.

[1] It is considered locally common within protected areas but has a "tiny range and specialized habitat requirements".