Although reasonably common, this is a shy bird of reed-beds and river edges is not always easy to see. Two subspecies are recognized. This is currently included in the nominate race, but Remsen (2019) says "Larger birds with much darker underparts, found in Huallaga and Ucayali basins of Peru, appear to represent an undescribed race." This individual being along the Ucayali River, is presumably of this undescribed subspecies.