Adult Male:
Winter Plumage: The dorsal plumage is light brown, with each feather having a black tip and a tawny-yellow spot near the tip. The small wing coverts are dark brown, each with a large tawny-yellow mark near the feather tip. The median wing coverts are similar, but with tawny-yellow edges. The greater wing coverts have a tawny-yellow central portion on the outer vane.
The flight feathers are brown with tawny-yellow edges. The central tail feathers are light yellow-brownish-greenish, while the other tail feathers are dark brown with pale outer edges and white tips. The sides of the head are pale tawny-yellow with black spots. A large black streak is present behind the ear, formed by the black tips of the ear feathers. The ventral plumage is white, tinged with tawny-yellow, especially on the chest, with black horizontal barring from the throat to the mid-belly. The underwings and axillaries are black and white. The number of tail feathers is 12-14.
Summer Plumage: Generally brighter, with more distinct markings and patterns. The eyes are dark brown. The beak is horn-brown, with a slightly paler lower mandible. The legs are pale pinkish-brown.
Measurements:
- Wing: 130 – 147 mm
- Tail: 93 – 103 mm
- Tarsus (Leg): 33 – 34 mm
- Bill: 29 – 30 mm
Distribution:
This species is distributed in the Himalayas, Myanmar, and Northern Vietnam (Sapa and the Hoang Lien Son mountain range at altitudes above 1,000m), and Lam Dong.