They are seen mostly in pairs and sometime in small groups in parks, gardens, human habitations, open scrubs and open deciduous forests. It has scaly brown upper parts, a partially crested black head, brown breast (scaled or streaked), crimson (red) patch below root of tail (vent) and a white rump. The white rump is visible in flight.
Races are distinguished mainly by the breast and the nape which may be scaled or black depending on the race. (race Bengalensis has a darker brown breast) .