The adult male is mainly dark grey-brown with a paler belly and a whitish band across the rump.

The breeding range covers central and north-east China, Korea, Japan and south-east Siberia.

In winter, birds from colder regions migrate south to southern and eastern China, South Korea, southern Japan, Taiwan and northern Vietnam with vagrants reaching the Philippines, Thailand and Myanmar.

It inhabits woodland, farmland, and open country and has also adapted to parks and gardens in urban areas.

The breeding season lasts from March to July and often two clutches of eggs are laid during that time.