The Puff-throated Babbler forages on the ground. In the Indian nominate form, its rufous head, white throat, and dark breast streaks stand out.
The Indian nominate form has a dull rufous crown and olive-brown upperparts. Its white throat and bold dark streaks on the breast and flanks are useful field marks.
It walks through undergrowth and scrub, searching among fallen leaves for insects. Some accounts report small flocks outside the breeding season, while others describe pairs or single birds.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.