The male is a striking bird, with buff underparts and a black face, throat, and wings separated from a mottled back by a bold pale line. The female is nondescript, with diffusely streaked underparts and a distinctive buff rump and dark tail. Pairs and small groups frequent boulder-strewn and rocky grasslands with scattered shrubs and trees up to 2000 meters of elevation. The species perches prominently on rocks or shrubs, and sallies or pounces to catch insect prey. The sweet warbling song, including imitation of other species, is often initiated with distinctive grating clicks and “chack” notes. Young Capped Wheatear is similar to female Buff-streaked Chat, but has plain (not diffusely streaked) underparts and a white (not buff) rump patch.