Easily confused woth tinkling cisticola because of its plumage coloration, but has much less red on the head, and the rufous on the tail is not as bright.
Juvenile is yellower than adult.
Woodland, savanna and scrub.
Lower-pitched rattle at end of short song is diagnostic; may be rendered as 'cher-cher-cher,tooitooitooi'; uttered from top of bush. Alarm a repeated, scolding 'chee-chee'.