It is included as a subspecies in R. socotranus by some authorities, but in recent times the three golden-winged grosbeak populations are usually considered distinct species.

The head is brown, with a dark grey mask and white cheeks, and it has large, bright yellow patches on the wings and tail.

The females are similar to the males though somewhat duller, and the juveniles are rather streaky and lack the adults' distinctive head pattern.

The Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak is typically found between 1,060 and 2,800 metres (3,480 and 9,190 ft) ASL in forested wadis and areas of scrub.

[4] In southwestern Saudi Arabia it is resident in relict East African Juniper (Juniperus procera) forests.