A small rufous-brown flycatcher. Rufescent above and pale below, with rufous patches on the breast sides. Occupies lower understory of lowland forest and forest edge, singly or in pairs. Juveniles show two pale wingbars. Confined to the island of Sumba. Combination of rufescent upperparts, absence of eye-ring, and entirely dark bill separates this species from Sumba Brown, Flores Jungle, and Asian Brown Flycatchers. Simple song is a short series of evenly pitched whistled notes, sometimes interspersed with a short, buzzy rattle. Also gives cicada-like “tzeeee” and “chikik” calls.