Turdus is "thrush" and the specific ruficollis is derived from rufus, "red", and collum, "neck".

It breeds in East Siberia to North Manchuria wintering to West China, Myanmar, and Northeast India.

It is a large thrush with a plain grey back and reddish underwings.

Females and young birds lack the bib, but have black-streaked underparts.

This bird species is a very rare vagrant to western Europe.