An unstreaked bright yellow weaver with uniform green wings, back, and upper tail. A slender black bill and Zorro-like bandit mask surrounding the pale eye further identify it. The male has a black throat patch that the female lacks. Individuals and pairs occupy savanna, forest edge, and thicket, avoiding well developed forest. The species is often first detected by its distinctive downward “tee-tee-tee-tee-tee….” call. The Black-necked Weaver differs in having a distinctive dark back, except for the olive-backed race in West Africa, which is told apart from the very similar Spectacled Weaver by a thicker bill and more chestnut on the head and breast.