This species occupies arid, rocky mountain slopes and barren or sparsely vegetated hillsides (Jennings 2010, Aspinall and Porter 2011). Populations confined to mountain tops may undergo altitudinal movements, migrating to lower elevations during winter (Jennings 2010, Pedersen et al. 2017). It forages on the ground (Jennings 2010). Not much information is available on its diet in the UAE, but it likely feeds mainly on invertebrates, but also on berries and other plant matter (Jennings 2010). While the species often seeks shaded areas in summer, it may survive long periods without drinking water, depending solely on the moisture in its food (Jennings 2010). It tolerates the proximity of humans (Jennings 2010). Being solitary outside of the breeding season, pairs form in November, and chicks hatch between February in lower elevations and June higher up the mountains (Jennings 2010). There is not much known about the nests in the UAE; elsewhere it consists of a cup made from plants stems and leaves, lined with grass and feathers, and is placed in rocky cervices (Jennings 2010, Collar 2019). Clutch size in the UAE might be lower than the four to five eggs found elsewhere (Jennings 2010). Shortly after fledging, juveniles disperse to lower elevations (Jennings 2010).