The greyish back and wings of this species distinguish it from Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark.
Male is further distinguished from Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark by the white patch on the hind crown. Female is very much greyer in appearance than female Chestnut-backed Sparrowlark, lacking the latter chestnut wing coverts. Juvenile is more mottled than female.
Karoo shrublands, desert, grassland and cultivated lands.
A sharp 'chruk, chruk', given in flight.