Identification

A medium-sized (length 13‒14 cm, mass ~16.5 g) warbler-like bird of dense forest undergrowth with a bright rufous head and upper breast, gray body, and blackish wings and tail. Difficult to observe, often discovered by its song which is typically delivered as a duet.

Mrs. Moreau's Warbler could be confused with the African Tailorbird (Artisornis metopias), another warbler-like species (Cisticolidae) of montane forest undergrowth. Both species have a grayish body and a rufous hood that extends from the head to the breast; however, Mrs. Moreau's Warbler is chunkier, with a darker, more evenly rufous hood, and a more uniformly gray body. The African Tailorbird (Artisornis metopias) is a smaller and daintier species, with a more whitish throat.

Mrs. Moreau's Warbler may also be confused with Chapin's Apalis (Apalis chapini), which is smaller and more slender, with a longer tail, less contrast between the rufous hood and the gray body, and a lighter throat (subspecies chapini).