A pale grey-brown canary, heavily streaked with dark brown on the upperparts, with a diagnostic bright lemon-yellow rump and white tail tips that contrast with the otherwise drab plumage. The black throat is most obvious during the breeding season.
Female has less black on the throat. Juvenile is spotted on the throat.
Thornveld, dry, broad-leaved woodland and near waterholes in dry regions.
A prolonged series of wheezy whistles and chirrups.