A very rare visitor outside its normal range in autumn, winter, and spring, when it also occurs on buildings and ruins. Characterized by long, decurved bill, greyish upper parts and in summer black, in winter whitich, underside. Most striking are the wide, rounded wings with large red areas and white spots. Flight characteristically fluttering. Climbs on rocks looking for insects, but can also be seen perched in trees.
Call is thin and piping.
Nest is in rock crevice. Are white with reddish spots. Schnabel lang, leicht abwarts gebogen. Flecke auf den Innenfahnen der auzeren handschwingen auf. Das Weibchen ist matter, der schwarze Kehlfleck kleiner.