Occurs in open, scrubby places ranging from coastal heath and light woodland to low hedgerows and bramble tangles on rough ground. Typically unobtrusive, as many warblers are, but its jittery, rising display flight can make it noticeable. It also sings from exposed perches with a lively, buzzing warble and often gives a rising, sparrow-like “weet, weet.” Overall brownish in tone, it shows bright rusty colouring in the wings. The greyer head has a fine pale eye-ring and contrasts with a white throat that can appear slightly puffed.