Breeds across northern and eastern Europe, and much of temperate Asia, favoring open woodlands, scrub, and damp thickets, not exclusively in reeds. Winters in India and Southeast Asia.

Look for a small, plain, dull brown warbler with a faint supercilium and a rather short primary projection. Identification often relies heavily on its unique song, a rapid, melodious, and varied sequence of notes, often with phrases repeated several times and incorporating mimicry. It can be elusive, moving through dense foliage.

Primarily observed during the breeding season (May-July) when males are vocal. Migrants are seen during spring (April-May) and autumn (August-September).