This small parrotbill ranges from the eastern Himalayas into southern China. It forms small groups in bamboo and forest edges and eats seeds and insects.
It is about 15 cm long, with a peaked rufous head, short black eyebrow, pale bluish lores, olive-brown back, rufescent wings, and buff-to-white underparts.
It may be seen in groups of about 6–12 around bamboo, forest edges, and tall grass, and is sometimes observed hanging upside down. It eats small seeds and insects.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.