A resident bird of Cyprus and the Akamas. It is a common and widespread species, in a wide variety of habitats, usually in areas with dense vegetation and often near water, from coastal and low altitude areas to mountainous areas. It is a very cryptic species, very difficult to observe because it rarely appears in open places and for a very short time. It remains in the dense vegetation (mainly bushes, bramble, etc.) where it looks for its food (mainly insects).

Its presence is usually detected by its characteristic, loud song. It is a medium-sized bird of the Sylvidae family, with a short neck and a long, broad tail, often raised upwards. Its color is uniformly reddish-brown above, greyish below with a reddish-brown tint on the sides. Its throat is paler, almost whitish, and it has a thin distinct pale supercilium.