An unmistakable, boldly patterned sparrow confined to the eastern Lesser Sundas. A brown songbird with a black cap, a black throat, and a bold white cheek patch. Has a brown chest band above cream-colored underparts, and a silvery-gray bill. Juvenile shows indistinct buff eyebrow, white throat, and reduced face patch. Flocks occur in a variety of open country habitats including scrub, farmland, and sparsely wooded areas, avoiding dense forest. Often mixes with other local finches. Gives a variety of chattering “chip” and “chup” notes characteristic of sparrows.