It is plain greyish brown above and grey to white below, with circular pale markings on its heavily mottled throat and breast.

The flanks are buff and there is whitish ring round the eye and a pronounced buffish cheek stripe.

The song consists of several similar phrases, being loud cascading trills starting at a high pitch and ending lower, rather like the neigh of a horse.

Calls include whistles when the bird is alarmed and a jangling "chok-chok" when the parents have young to care for.

In its winter quarters it is found in forests, in areas with scattered trees, scrubland, parks and gardens.

[7] This is an elusive bird and difficult to spot as it lurks among concealing branches, remaining stationary for considerable periods.

Migration southwards starts soon after the nestlings are reared, in late August in Russia and a few weeks later in Korea.

The birds arrive in the vicinity of Hong Kong in November and also overwinter in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.