Plump, tiny, short-tailed bird, finely barred below, with a bright red bill. In flight, bright red rump apparent. Very dark between eyes and bill (lores), with a pale eyering. Red-browed Firetail lacks fine barring and dark lores; Diamond Firetail has white belly and strongly spotted flanks. Juveniles plain brown, with features resembling adult but less pronounced. Inhabits heathland and woodlands in Tasmania and coastal areas of southeastern Australia.