It is closely related to the more southerly breeding Naumann's thrush T. naumanni; the two have often been regarded as conspecific.

This species is strongly migratory, wintering south to southeast Asia, principally in China and neighbouring countries.

[1] In December 2016 a sighting of one in the Derbyshire in the United Kingdom brought hundreds of birdwatchers to see it.

Naumann's thrush in comparison has a paler brown back and head; the face, breast, flank spots and rump are reddish, and the belly and undertail are white.

The male dusky thrush has a simple fluted or whistling song, similar to the redwing.