Darker grey than the very similar Layard's Tit-Babbler, with a chestnut vent, and the white on the tail confined to the tip. The streaking on the throat is bolder and more extensive than in Layard's Tot-Babbler.
Juvenile resembles adult but lacks the streaking on the throat.
Diverse: from thornveld, especially thickets, to lowland fynbos and scrub and dry riverbeds in semi-deserts.
A loud, fluty 'cheruuup-chee-chee' or 'tjerik-tik-tik', hence the Afrikaans name (Bosveldtjeriktik); also imitates calls of other birds.