Odd, striking bulbul that resembles a shrike. Crown and shoulders are gray, back and wings are olive, and a broad black stripe runs from the beak, through the eyes and ears, forming a broad necklace on the creamy white underparts. Juvenile is less striking, with pale tips to the feathers. Pairs are localized residents in wooded tall grassland with scattered shrubs. Gives a fast high-pitched whiny “chet-cherit-rit-rit-rit” and a liquid melodious song that wafts up and down in pitch, rendered “choo-oo-cheloo-eo-loo-oe-loo”, sweeter than similar sounding Common Bulbul.