Common but visually inconspicuous in wooded habitats with dense understory, gardens, hedges in farmland, heathland, coastal cliffs. Often sings from a fairly exposed perch, but at other times rather mouselike, creeping in brambles and understory. Identified fairly easily by tiny size, overall brown plumage, and habit of holding tail cocked. Heard much more than seen: song is loud and ebullient, a varied series of trills and ringing warbles, repeated.