Bulbul-sized large warbler with a long tail, a stubby bill, and a plain face. Breeds in East Asia; winters in South and Southeast Asia. Structurally similar to Clamorous Reed Warbler but has a shorter, blunter bill, no eye-stripe or brow, different vocalizations, and no particular preference for water. Rather skulky, it keeps to dense grasses, forest edge, and shrubbery. Song is long and complex, consisting of short bursts of high piercing notes, harsh snappy chattering, and mellow warbles. Calls include a hard, fast, continuous arrhythmic “thk…thk, thk, thk” emanating but from the undergrowth.