This bird is about 24 cm long and has a heavy bill. Near Mindo, it was observed repeatedly thrusting its bill sharply into the soil of a muddy forest trail.
It is about 24 cm long. Field observers described a heavy bill and saw a bird thrust it into muddy soil while foraging.
Near Mindo, it foraged in pasture surrounded by forest and on a muddy trail amid primary and slightly disturbed forest. On the trail, it repeatedly thrust its bill into the soil.
Near the Mindo study site in November–December 1994, three or four birds sang before dawn at about 05:45–06:05. Further singing was heard irregularly later in the morning.
An individual captured at 1,960 m near Mindo in 1994 weighed 254 g and had a wing length of 165 mm and a tail length of 80 mm.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.