A slim, pretty, long-tailed member of the cisticola family with gray upperparts and mostly white underparts, a black chest band, and rufous flanks. Found in the understory and along the edges of montane forest. Usually in pairs or small groups, readily joining mixed flocks. Not known to overlap in range with Rwenzori Apalis, and differs by having a white rather than buffy throat, and white in the outer tail. Has a black chest band like Black-capped Apalis, but separated by many details, including the gray back and rufous flanks. Vocalizations include a ringing “svink” and a lower “veet” which are often given in duet by a pair.