Forest-loving, ethereal-voiced ground-forager. Common in summer in Eastern forests; winters in Central America. Plump and short-tailed, often upright; reddish-brown upperparts and white underparts spotted black. Haunting, flute-like song echoes through the forest. Prefers mature deciduous or mixed forest with moderate understory, where it forages in leaf-litter for insects and invertebrates; also eats fruits. Nests in low vegetation; usually two broods per season. Lifespan up to 10 years. Population ~ 11 million and steadily declining (as much as 50% since 1966).