Large and long-tailed. Upperparts are warm brown streaked with black. Wings are reddish-brown with two white wing bars. The rump is plain gray-brown. Underparts are pale gray, washed with buffy brown on the sides and flanks. In alternate plumage, the face is plain gray with a broad black crown bisected by a broad yellow stripe, which turns white at the rear of the crown. In basic plumage, crown pattern is not as distinct, with just a smudge of yellowish on the forecrown. Upper mandible is dusky, lower mandible is pinkish-yellow to pale gray. First-winter birds have finely streaked crowns with little or no yellow.

Length: 15 (cm) Wingspan: 25 (cm)

Voice:

Song is a mournful three-note, oooohh dear meee.

Habitat:

Breeds in areas with shrubs and stunted trees near the treeline, riparian thickets. Winters in thickets, chaparral, gardens.

Behavior:

Common feeder bird during winter. Migrant flocks often found in woodland edges.

Feeding:

Feeds on seeds, fruit, insects.