Differs from Tractrac and Sickle-winged Chats in being darker grey-brown below, with a richer chestnut rump and outer tail feathers. Like other chats, it flicks its wings when at a rest, but this species also 'trembles' its tail.
Juvenile is spotted with buff above, and scaled below.
Rocky and mountainous terrain, also miombo woodland and regularly around human habitation.
A soft 'shek-shek' alarm call and a warbling trill.