EBird describes the bird as "A mysterious and secretive reed warbler; formerly fairly common but now increasingly rare and possibly near extinction.

Adults bear a passing resemblance to the much more common Black-browed Reed Warbler but have prominent striping all along the back and crown, a less contrasting brow pattern, and are noticeably paler in color.

"[2] On passage, it has been recorded in marshland and millet crops, and it occurs near the water in reed and grass marshes in the winter.

IUCN has assessed this bird as critically endangered with the population estimated at just 250 to 999 mature individuals and continuing to decline.

Investigation of the potential for stable isotope analysis of museum specimens could identify areas in which the species breeds.