[3] The origin of the word baglafecht is something of a mystery and was coined by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, probably from a local name in an Abyssinian language.

The adult male baglafecht weaver has a distinctive black mask which extends from the bill through the eye and onto the ear coverts contrasting with the bright yellow forehead, forecrown and throat.

The upperparts are yellowish green with dark centres to the feathers creating a faint streaking.

The female baglafecht weaver lacks a mask but has dusky lores with yellowish-green cap, concolorous with the upperparts.

In the non breeding plumage the mask is largely lost but there remains a dusky area around the eye, greyish brown on the upperparts, including the crown, with white washed buff underparts.