Its back is entirely reddish brown hence the specific epithet rufus. It presents a soft eyebrow, formed by lighter feathers, in slight contrast with the rest of the plumage of the head. Primary remiges flight feathers, on wings black, visible in flight, with wings spread. Ventrally it is lighter in color. It is about 20 cm long and has no evident sexual dimorphism, but its plumage may show regional variations; in southern Argentina it tends to be paler and greyish; in Piauà and Bahia the colors are stronger, more reddish on the back and darker and ocher on the belly. Their size can also vary, with populations in the south generally being slightly larger than those in the north.