Fairly common but inconspicuous in dense bushes and hedges near water, reedy marshes with bushes and scrub. Often heard but rarely seen. Explosive, rich staccato song often draws attention: usually a birds sings once, from cover, then moves to another concealed spot and sings once again, not the persistent singing from a single perch that typifies many warblers. Appearance is plain, but does not match any other species: rather dumpy and broad-tailed; warm brown above, pale grayish below, with narrow pale eyebrow.