A sunbird that is closely tied to water, most often encountered in mangroves, farmlands, and along large rivers as far inland as Mali. Gray-brown above and dingy gray-white below with distinctive bright white spectacles and a relatively large, short bill without much of a curve. Could be confused with other plain-colored sunbirds, but note its distinctive white spectacles and close association with large rivers and coastal areas. Calls and song are similar to those of other sunbirds, consisting of short, metallic whistles.