[2] "Grallaricula are very small Andean antpittas, found mostly in low dense vegetation (such as treefall gaps, stream edges, and bamboo thickets).

Adult males of the nominate subspecies G. n. nana have an orange rufous loral spot and eyering on an otherwise olive brown face.

[4] The slaty-crowned antpitta inhabits montane forest in the subtropical to temperate zone, almost always in and near dense stands of Chusquea bamboo.

[5] Most of the data for the slaty-crowned antpitta's breeding biology are from subspecies G. n. occidentalis in Ecuador.

Its nest is a shallow cup of leaves (whole and partial) on a platform of sticks and lined with rootlets and other flexible fibers.

The usual clutch size appears to be one egg; it is pale brown or beige with dark markings.

[5] It has been written as "pee-pee-PEE-pee-pee-pee-pee-pee" (Peru), "we-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-ew" (Ecuador), "we'ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'te'tee'too" (Colombia), and "we'e'e'ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'ti'te'te'te'e'e'e" (Venezuela).

[7][8][10][12][excessive citations] Descriptions of its call include "a descending "tew" note"[7] and "a short and abrupt 'tchew' "[8].

[5] It is "linked to somewhat naturally disturbed areas, especially dense secondary growth and bamboos stands, but are still reliant on ‘good’ forest coverage".