Rather plain but “gentle-faced” and attractive, this small terrestrial flycatcher breeds locally in the high Andes, with southern populations migrating north in winter. Favors rocky slopes, valleys, and adjacent bogs, where it mixes readily with other ground-tyrant species. Head and back plain blue-gray with a short weak whitish eyebrow, no colored cap markings, and an “average” straight bill (droop-tipped on Rufous-naped Ground-Tyrant). Also note no strong contrast between gray back and wings.