Males are red from the head to the upper breast, while females have less red on the head. Juveniles are brownish, and the species feeds on grass seeds.
The male has red on the head and upper breast, rump, and central tail feathers. In females, red on the head is limited to the forehead, behind the eye, and chin; juveniles are plain brownish.
It feeds on grass seeds, foraging on the ground or low in rank growth. It is usually seen in pairs.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.