At 9–10 cm this is a small, streak-backed cisticola with short or medium tail, which may get longer in the breeding season.[2] It differs from the pale-crowned cisticola in having a pale rufous (not buff) crown and forehead in the breeding season. The pectoral patches become darker in the breeding season, but even then they may not be easy to see.[2]
Voice
The voice is stonechat-like in quality with harsh tssk tssk or szisk szisk notes given in display flight.[2]