Ochotona roylii is a pika of rocky Himalayan sites. In summer, its head, shoulders, and forebody become rufous; it uses cavities among loose rocks and stone heaps as shelter.
In summer, the head, shoulders, and forebody are generally more rufous; the rest of the back is dark grayish-rufous. The underside ranges from white to gray, while the winter coat may show only traces of rufous.
The account says the pika prefers rocky places and often nests in stone heaps, using cavities beneath loose rock. In rocky forest it may use spaces around roots or below fallen trees.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.