Similar to Ortolan and Cretzschmar's Buntings. Males are faintly-streaked with a yellow-green head. Some populations have a yellow belly while others have a gray-white belly. Females and young lack bright yellow tones and are faintly streaked on the throat and breast. Belly whitish, not orange or buff like Ortolan and Cretzschmar’s Bunting. Breeds on open rocky mountain slopes with scattered bushes. During migration found in a varity of open habitats. Flight call is similar to that of Cretzschmar's Bunting, a sharp "Tzip."