This is a typical small gnateater, only 13 cm long. The gnateaters constitute is a small family of about just a dozen species: small, round, short-tailed and long-legged birds, which are found only in two separate areas of South America. They are very shy and therefore relatively little studied. The Rufous-gnateater gets its name from the fact that it is an insectivore, and among other things catches gnats, and that the dominant color of its plumage is rufous. Like several other gnateater species, it also has a characteristic white spot behind the eye.