This streamside flycatcher breeds in Central Asia, the Himalayas and much of China. Its white crown and nape, black chest and reddish-brown belly and tail are distinctive. In winter it moves to lower elevations.
The crown and nape are snowy white; the rest of the head, throat, breast, back and wings are black. The belly, rump, vent and tail base are reddish-brown, with a black bar across the tail tip. The sexes are alike.
It moves along alpine streams and often perches on boulders in fast water. It bobs its head when landing and flicks its tail. It moves to lower elevations in winter.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.