It is ranked as "Near Threatened" by the IUCN due to its small range on the Meseta Central which has seen increased urban development in recent decades.

Though it persists in altered habitats like coffee plantations, the sparrow has a limited distribution and the population is relatively small, estimated at only between 20,000 and 50,000 adult individuals.

It is on average 15 cm long and weighs 28 g. The adult has a stubby dark-grey bill, unstreaked olive-brown upperparts, a rufous crown and mainly white underparts.

Young birds are browner above, have yellower underparts, and a duller indistinct head pattern.

The rufous of the crown extends to behind the eye and is bordered on its anterior edge with black.