Overall brown plumage and bright violet auriculars make the Brown Violetear one of the most distinctive hummingbirds.
The Brown Violet-ear averages 11.5 cm in length and 6.5-7 g in weight. The plumage is mostly dull brown, with a rufous rump and greyer underparts. Its beak is short and straight.
Is typically found in humid evergreen forest, preferring semi open areas of second-growth, edges, shrubby patches and shade coffee plantations.
The song is a vigorous repetition of the chit call usually song by several dozen breeding males in loose leks. In most areas breeds mainly above 500–900 m, descending to lower elevations outside breeding season.