This bird lives in high mountains around the Tibetan Plateau. Its dark-mottled back contrasts with a white rump that stands out in flight. In the breeding season it is found near pika colonies.
The back and scapulars are heavily marked with dark spots and streaks, contrasting with a plain white rump conspicuous in flight. The face has black markings and the wings show white panels.
It lives on stony alpine steppe and mountain slopes, breeding near pika colonies. It uses pika burrows for nesting and roosting, and descends near farms and villages in winter.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.