This species can be distinguished from the ubiquitous Southern Grey-headed Sparrow P. difusus by its larger size and more robust appearance with longer tail and larger bill. The plumage is darker and has a less distinct white wing bar. This species is common from the Sahel region south to Angola and northern Mozambique. Very few records occur in Namibia because it is below the southern limit of its normal range (which may change with climate warming), and because of probable confusion with the Southern Grey-headed Sparrow.