A large grayish songbird that shows considerable plumage variation throughout its range. Regularly found flocking in forested habitats as well as more open environments such as farmland and cities, where its loud vocalizations, long tail, and undulating flight make it conspicuous and distinctive. The Taiwan subspecies (harteri) is gray above, pale below, with chestnut extending from cheek to underparts, where it extends down the belly in streaks. Varied calls are loud and shrill.