The first formal description of the Himalayan rubythroat was by the English ornithologist and bird artist John Gould in 1837.

[4][5] Another study published in 2016 compared the mitochondrial DNA, vocalization and morphology of several Calliope pectoralis subspecies.

Based on their results the authors recommended that C. p. tschebaiewi be promoted to species rank with the English name Chinese rubythroat.

In the central and eastern Himalayas of Sikkim and Bhutan, C. p. confusa, is similar but has the male blacker above with a more prominent white forehead.

Being rather distinctive and possibly closer to the Siberian rubythroat, the taxonomy and placement of this population as well as the overall treatment of this species pair has been questioned.

[8][9][10][11][12] It is found in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, ranging across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The subspecies C. p. confusa which may well represent clinal variation in the darkness of the upper plumage of the male is found from Sikkim to Assam.

[8] They may sometimes occur in summer on the lower plains but a record from further south at Londa near Goa has been determined as a misidentified Siberian rubythroat.

[8][17] In the Tien Shan region, the Himalayan rubythroat is found in thickets of juniper elfin at altitudes of 2500 to 2700 m on gently sloping land.

The typical nest is a loose and large ball like with an entrance on the side but is sometimes cup like with an open top.