While females are typically dull brown or grey with streaked underbodies, males have rufous underparts and predominantly dark-grey back and tail with white throats and (in most cases) a black mask that covers most of their head and some of their neck.

These birds are between 16 and 18 centimetres (6.3 and 7.1 inches) in size, on average, and their normal weight is approximately 25 grams (0.88 ounces).

The rufous whistler has a variety of musical calls which consist of a lengthy series of ringing notes.

The female alone constructs the nest, which usually consists of a combination of twigs, vines, grass and other matter formed in a cup-like shape and attached to a tree branch using strands from spider webs.

While rufous whistlers primarily feed on insects, they also eat seeds, fruit and occasionally, leaves and grasses.