The Yellow-browed Sparrow has a conspicuous but varying amount of yellow on the face which might cover the lores, supercilium, eye-ring and cheeks.

Unlike the similar Grassland Sparrow Ammodramus humeralis it is normally easily seen in the open where it favours grassy areas in towns, on roadsides and at riversides. It sings all day and its high buzzing song can be mistaken for that of an insect.