 It is 20 cm long and weighs 50 g with a heavy bill and dark chocolate-brown on the body, face and crown with whitish mottling and streaking on the breast.This bird has a population of less than 250, and is classified as Critically Endangered.It is confined to tiny, humid patches of "Polylepis" woodland and montane scrub, and the major threat to its survival is the use of fire and heavy grazing which restrict the regeneration of "Polylepis".