Non-breeding males are similar but duller with the chestnut partly hidden by pale fringes to the feathers.

The female is mostly dull brown with dark streaks above while the underparts are mainly pale yellow.

It is a long-distance migrant, wintering in southern China, south-east Asia and north-east India.

There are a number of records from Europe but some of these are considered to be escapes from captivity rather than genuine vagrants.

During the breeding season it inhabits open forest with plenty of ground cover and shrubs.