Big-headed chunky antbird with a heavy and slightly hooked bill and shortish tail. Found in the lower and middle levels of forests and forest edges. Males have a gray head and and a white spotted face and are olive-brown above and yellowish below.They have dark spots on the throat, and white spots on the wings coverts. Females have a rufous crown and less distinct spots on the wings coverts. The song is a melodious series of ascending and descending notes.