It is a resident breeder of dry country from Chad, east through south-west Asia to north-western India [2] and in Africa.

[2] Its natural food consists of seeds, or when feeding young, insects.

The female's head has a brown tint to the grey, and more diffused streaking.

[3][4] Birds in eastern Chad (E. striolata jebelmarrae) show some evidence of intergradation with the house bunting.

The breeding range of the bird in India has been noted in recent times to include more southerly locations such as near Saswad near Pune.