The small bird is a migratory species in the family Muscicapidae. Females have brown upperparts and a blackish tail edged with white. During the mating season, males develop an orange-red throat. It breeds in northern Eurasia, from eastern Russia to Siberia and Mongolia. In winter, it migrates to South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and Japan.

Its natural habitat is the taiga forest. These birds usually sit on a branch, taking off in pursuit of flying insects. Conservation status: LC (Least Concern).