This small seed-eater occurs from Central into South America. Males and females differ in plumage, and male coloration also varies geographically.
In the nominate male, the crown and face are grey, the streaked back is grey, the lower back and rump are rufous, and a white rectangular patch shows on the folded wing. The underparts are rufous, but males vary between grey and brown forms; females are warm buff-brown above and paler below.
It uses open habitats such as seasonally wet grassland and second-growth scrub, and mainly eats grass seeds. It is mostly sedentary, though drought and food shortage can prompt dispersal.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.