It is found only in east Africa where it occurs in southern Somalia and parts of Kenya with its range just extending into southern Ethiopia and northern Tanzania.

The plumage is mainly greyish with black and white barring on the back, neck and breast.

There is a white stripe down the back which becomes visible when the bird flies.

The northern subspecies (C. l. turneri) is darker than the southern form (C. l. leucocephalus).

The contact call is a scratchy chattering and the bird also has a descending song.