[2] It is endemic to Madagascar, where it is restricted to the spiny forest of the island's southwest.

It is greyish above and whitish below, with narrow green fringes to the wing feathers and a marked supercilium.

It often associates in family groups or with Newtonias in mixed-species flocks.

[3] While not considered threatened, its population is inferred to be decreasing due to widespread deforestation across its range.

[2] A 2019 phylogenetic study found the Thamnornis to be the sister species of Rand's warbler.