A small, chunky, distinctive weaver of northeastern Africa. Mostly sandy brown with a gray cap and a pale eye-ring. There is some geographical variation in back color, which can be brown or gray. The tail has a pale gray tip and a partial black bar across the middle, both of which are obvious in flight. Found in dry savanna and cultivated areas, usually in flocks. Nests in colonies. Gives a variety of inconspicuous calls, but one of the most frequent is a penetrating “veet.”