Levaillant's cisticola is a small, 12–15 cm long, dull-coloured bird with a longish tail and a reddish cap.

The upperparts of the breeding adult are grey, heavily streaked with black, and with a rufous panel in the folded wing.

It is common in reedbeds, sedges, rank grass, and similar wet habitats usually near rivers or dams.

It is vocal and conspicuous, perching on the top of tall grass stems and reeds and making its alarm call.

The cisticola builds a ball-shaped nest with a side entrance from dry grass, cobwebs and felted plant down.