Medium-sized, olive-brown honeyeater with distinctive white “ears”. Adult has gray crown, black face extending down to upper breast, and clear white patch behind the eye. Juvenile lacks gray crown and black coloration on face and upper breast. Found in a wide range of habitats where trees are present, but typically found in dry eucalypt forests and woodlands. Mainly feeds on insects (often seen foraging in loose bark) but also eats nectar when present.