It is migratory, wintering in north-east India, southern China and northern south-east Asia.

[3] The black-faced bunting breeds in dense undergrowth along streams and rivers in the taiga zone, and lays four or five eggs in a ground or tree nest.

This bird's general appearance and terrestrial feeding habits give the impression of a dunnock with a bunting's bill.

The breeding male has a dark grey head with a mix of yellow green and black between the bill and eye.

Females and young birds have a weaker head pattern, with olive-grey cheeks and a weak creamy white supercilium.