Easily distinguished from the Rufour Babbler by its mainly black bill, dark grey legs, ashy/grey head, pale eyes, and dark reddish-brown back, wings and tail.  It is also a neater looking babbler.  Sexes alike.  It is confined to the deep forests of the wet zone and the adjacent hills.  It ascends to at least 1600 metres.  Like the Rufous Babbler it lives in flocks and is a noisy bird constantly chattering and squeaking.  These calls can easily be mistaken for those of the Rufous Babbler.