This babbler occurs in the eastern Himalayas, inhabiting evergreen broadleaf forest and bamboo. It forms small groups in the undergrowth.
It is dark brown, with a gray eyebrow and dark facial markings. White scale-like marks line the belly, and its bill has a sharply pointed, wedge-like tip.
It searches for insects in undergrowth, especially near streams. Groups of up to about 15 birds are reported.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.