The common name and Latin binomial name commemorate Reverend John E. Semper, an amateur ornithologist who lived in St.

The plumage of the adults is dark gray at the upperparts and greyish white at the underparts.

The immatures are brownish-grey above and have buffish underparts, and the long legs are pale yellow.

[4] It lives in the undisturbed undergrowth of lower montane rainforests and elfin woodlands.

Though unconfirmed sightings were in 1965, 1972, 1989, 1995 and 2003 there is a weak hope for a rediscovery because suitable habitat still remains.