Unmistakable. The only creeper in its range. Spotted and barred overall with long, slender, decurved bill and slightly rounded tail. Found in fairly open deciduous forest as well as in well-wooded country and mango groves, favoring mature trees with deep-fissured bark for foraging. Seen singly or in pairs, rarely in small flocks during the non-breeding season. Song is a complex phrase of clear, plaintive whistles with ascending and descending notes, some short and others longer. Calls are shorter but of similar plaintive quality.