The strong colors are recognizable from other weaver species, but the body shape is different. Look at the strong bill, the compact body and the short tail! Males and females look identical at first glance. However, the male has a solid yellow crown while the female has a black band along the crown. This is therefore a female in the picture. The species' song is also odd because it resembles hissing radio interference. The compact weaver is found in moist, grassy areas in savannah, shrublands and open forests.