This warbler is recognized by its boldly streaked pattern and by its unusual foraging habits. The bill is fairly long and slightly decurved. Upperparts are black with white streaks. Underparts are white with black streaks. The crown is black with a central white stripe. Adult Male: Distinguished by the extensively black cheek and throat. In basic plumage, shows variable amounts of white on the throat. Adult Female: Cheek is gray, not black, with a blackish line extending behind the eye. The throat is white. Juvenile: Similar to adult female. Young females show buffy wash to underparts and paler blurry streaks on the sides.

Length: 11 (cm) Wingspan: 22 (cm)

Voice:

Song is a series of high two-syllable notes, often described as sounding like a squeaky wheel. Call is a dull chip. Flight note is a high seet-seet.

Habitat:

Mature deciduous and mixed woodlands.

Behavior:

Nests on the ground, at the base of a tree or fallen log.

Feeding:

Creeps along tree trunks and large branches like a nuthatch, searching for insects in bark crevices. Also gleans insects from foliage.