Breeds across Southwest Europe, including France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and parts of Northwest Africa. Favors deciduous woodlands, orchards, and gardens. Winters in sub-Saharan West Africa.

Look for a relatively robust warbler with bright yellowish-green upperparts, a prominent yellowish supercilium, and dull yellow underparts. Its bill is strong and pointed. Its song is the most distinctive feature: a fast, varied, bubbling, and highly musical series of rich notes, often repeated. It frequently sings from a prominent perch.

Best observed during the breeding season (April-July) when males sing frequently and conspicuously. Migrants pass through during spring (April-May) and autumn (August-September).