Adult Plumage:
Summer Plumage: Forehead and a short stripe above the eye are white. Fore-eye region, crown, nape, and area behind the eye are black. Hindneck is pale gray. Wing covert edges bordering the back are white. The back, tail, and wings are dark brown. The wing coverts are pale black. The three primary flight feathers each have a white streak on the inner web. The outermost tail feathers are white except for the outer half of the inner web. The head sides and the belly are white, sometimes with a gray tinge on the breast and abdomen.
Winter Plumage: The dorsal surface is less gray, and the nape is brown with white feather edges.
Juvenile Plumage:
- The dorsal surface is pale brown, with each feather having a white edge. The black stripe at the eye is replaced by a black and white stripe. The crown is brown, with each feather having a gray edge; the nape is almost entirely brown. The eyes are dark brown. The beak and legs are black.
Measurements:
- Wingspan: 218 – 239 mm; Beak: 29 – 36 mm.
Distribution:
- This species is distributed in the Philippines, the coast of China, Indochina, and Malaysia.
- Vietnam: This species is found in Con Lon (likely referring to Con Dao Island).