The Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler lives along Himalayan forest edges and in scrub. Its rusty face and long, downcurved bill are distinctive.
Rusty-rufous coloring extends from the face toward the flanks, while the throat and belly are whitish. The long bill curves downward; eye color varies among subspecies.
It is often seen in pairs in summer and in small groups at other times, and forages mostly on the ground.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.