This localized weaver occurs in southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya, and at Afmadow in southern Somalia. It uses dry bushland, open woodland, and grassland.
It has a scaly-looking crown without a white eyebrow, pale cheeks, and a black moustachial stripe.
It feeds on grass seeds and insects on the ground and occurs in small flocks. Nests have been recorded in colonies in low thorn trees and bushes.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.