Small and virtually tailless warbler with a pale gray back and rufous marks on the cheek and breast. The color of the cap and forehead vary geographically, and can be gray or rufous. Found in miombo woodland, mainly in the canopy. Often joins mixed-species feeding flocks. The song is a short, up-and-down warble. Similar in shape to other crombecs, but identified by rufous cheek and breast patches.