Like other prinias, it often holds the tail upright but it is easily told by a smoky grey band across the breast which contrasts with a white throat.

This species was named by James Franklin as Prinia gracilis in 1831 based on a specimen that he obtained on the Ganges between Calcutta and Benares.

[6] The species has a widespread distribution and populations that show distinct plumages have been described as subspecies:[2][7][8] These 11-to-13-centimetre (4 to 5 in) long warblers have a longish grey tail with graduated feathers that are tipped in white, they have strong pinkish legs and a short black bill.

[5][8] This skulking passerine bird is typically found in open woodland, scrub jungle, bushes and hedgerows amidst cultivation.

The distribution extends from Himalayan foothills to Southern India and to eastern Indian states Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya and Assam.

The species distribution extends to Pakistan, Burma, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Yunnan province in southern China.

They also feeds on nectar from blossoms of trees like Erythrina and Bombax and during summer their forehead is sometimes sprinkled with pollen giving them an orange or yellowish head that can lead to mistaken identification.

The male sings from a high perch and also performs aerobatic manoeuvers with rising and falling before diving with song notes.

[7] In breeding season, the male gives a spirited performance from an exposed perch excitedly warbling his squeaky yousee-yousee-yousee-which-which-which song.