Relatively long and slender wren with long tail, plain brown upperparts, white breast and bold white "eyebrow." Long tail has dark brown bars and speckled white corners which show when fanned or in flight.

Common in brushy habitats from mesquite thickets to openings in coniferous forests.

Year-round resident of northern California and coastlines of southern California. Highest abundances occur in southeast Arizona, Edwards Plateau of central Texas, and southern coastal areas of California.