Breeds from upper Ob' and north-east Altai in western Siberia east to Sakhalin island, northern Japan, and Korea. Accidental in France: two 1st-years, both on Ouessant, September 1913 and September 1933. Denmark: juvenile, Lodbjerg, September 1955.

Breeds in warm dry continental middle latitudes of east Palearctic, mainly in lowland and coastal areas, from fringes of taiga to wooded steppeland, riverain bottomlands, meadows, glades, forest clearings, grassy mountain slopes, and thickets, including bamboo thickets.

The nesting season is very short and occurs mainly from mid-June to early July. The nest is a large deep cup built with dead leaves and stems of dried herbs. It is lined with finer materials such as plant stems and fiber. It is placed on the ground covered with leaves and twigs in high grass or under a small bush. Clutch size is 3 to 4 eggs, which are incubated for about 15 days. Young leave the nest after about 14 days.

Mainly insects.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 100,000-1,000,000 km². The global population size has not been quantified, but it is believed to be large as the species is described as 'frequent' in at least parts of its range (Baker 1997). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

The species is migratory. After breeding, they migrate to Siberia and northern regions of Asia reaching the wintering quarters in South-East Asia. During this period, they move to the Philippines, Sulawesi, Maluku and in the western part of New Guinea. Birds of Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and northern Japan followed the same path.