Field identification challenging. Pay attention to short wings (short primary projection), gray-brown tones to upperparts and long, dark-tipped bill with a flat forehead. Song is varied with many repetitions and lots of mimicry; call is a high-pitched and loud "tek." Found in forest edges, bushes, marsh edges, and parks, but not particularly associated with water. Usually sings from bushes and trees, not in reeds or herbage.