The Northern Plain Xenops searches tree trunks for insects in the lower and middle levels of humid tropical forest and at forest edges. Birds Colombia describes the sexes as similar and notes that juveniles have a dark brown throat.
Adult males and females are similar, with a brown head, cream eyebrow, reddish rump and tail, and a pale wing bar. Juveniles have a dark brown throat.
The account records it in the lower and middle levels and edges of humid lowland tropical forest. It takes insects from bark, decaying trunks, and dry branches while moving along trunks.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.