It forages mainly in stands of Guadua bamboo, using a thick bill with an upturned lower mandible. In southeastern Peru it is rare and local, and is seen alone or in pairs.
It is about 20 cm long and mostly reddish-brown, with rufous streaks on the throat, upper breast, and sides of the neck. The bill is pale and thick, with an upturned lower mandible.
It is nearly confined to Guadua bamboo stands, where it forages alone or in pairs. Its bill shape and color help distinguish it from other bamboo-associated foliage-gleaners.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.