The breeding male is striking for its long black tail and buff-orange body. After breeding, the birds join other seedeaters and reproduce by laying eggs in a host's nest.
The breeding male has buff-orange neck and underparts, a dark cap, and long black tail feathers. The female and nonbreeding male have streaked upperparts and pale underparts.
Breeding males hold territories in dry thorn scrub. After breeding, they flock with other seedeaters. They mimic the Violet-eared Waxbill and lay their eggs in its nest.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.