This species uses a wide variety of habitats from wadis and hills, even in dry desert areas, but also occupies to grassland and scrub, cultivated land, palm groves and gardens (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It tolerates hot, dry conditions (Jennings 2010). The home range spans at least 3 km², but is likely larger in rural populations (Jennings 2010). It forages in flocks, mainly taking seeds of reed (Phragmites sp.) and grass (Panicum turgidum, Pennisetum divisum) and in urban areas also visits bird tables (Jennings 2010). Occasionally, it forms mixed flocks with House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis (Jennings 2010). Nesting activity has been observed year-round (Jennings 2010), but seems to peak in January/February (Richardson 1990). Nests are ball-like structures consisting of grass, plant fibers and leaves, which are placed in a bush or tree (Jennings 2010). Occasionally, pairs occupy abandoned nests of other species (Jennings 2010). There is no information on clutch size in the UAE; elsewhere clutches contain three to eight eggs (Payne 2019). The species is a popular cagebird; some isolated populations likely originate from escaped or released cagebirds (Richardson 1990). Some individuals in these colonies had been colour-dyed, which is a common practice to make them more attractive for the pet trade (Jennings 2010).