The Chestnut-backed Sparrow-Weaver has a stocky body, chestnut back, and striped head. Small groups stay together year-round in miombo woodland and search the ground for seeds and insects.
It is stocky, with a chestnut back, a pale head marked by dark stripes, and two white wing bars. The sexes look alike; juveniles are duller, with a less contrasting head and browner back.
Small groups stay together throughout the year, forage on the ground for insects and seeds, and build straw nests high in trees.
The heavy, conical bill is pale horn-coloured.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.