Identification

This species is unmistakable; it is a small, pale seed-eater with a scaly, black-and-white forehead and forecrown, black lores, distinctive malar stripes, a rose-pink bill, and black wing coverts with broad white edges. In juveniles, the malar stripes are brown and rather indistinct, the crown and forehead are dull gray-brown, and the scaliness of the forehead is reduced, with the bill is horn yellow. A gregarious weaver, look for them in pairs or small groups in the drier parts of southern Africa (1 Craig, A. J. F. K. (2004). Ploceus olivaceiceps (Reichenow). Olive-headed Weaver. In The Birds of Africa. Vol. VII. (C. F. Fry and S. Keith, Editors), Christopher Helm, London, United Kingdom. pp. 189–191. Close ).

There are no similar species within its range.