Burly brown bunting; gets more attractive as you look at it more closely. Brown overall, but intricately patterned in various shades of gray, brown, and black. Combination of a grayish head, extensive dark streaking on the upperparts, and a large brown patch behind the ear (only chestnut in adult males) is unique in the region. Typically inhabits reed beds, grassy fields, and scrubby farmland where it often appears in scattered flocks. Song, usually given from an elevated, exposed perch, is a jumble of twittering, clattering notes. Calls include high, thin “tsik” and lower “chuck.”