Hippolais olivetorum is a summer visitor to south-eastern Europe, which constitutes >95% of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is relatively small (<23,000 pairs), but was stable between 1970-1990. Despite declines in Greece and Croatia during 1990-2000, the species was stable or increased elsewhere within its European range, and probably remained stable overall. Although it was previously classified as Rare, the species's European breeding population is now known to exceed 10,000 pairs.
The distribution of this warbler is restricted to south-eastern Europe and the Near East, as far as Syria. It winters in eastern and south-eastern Africa. It inhabits open habitats with scattered trees, olive-tree plantations and orchards. Its Greek population seems to be stable

Breeds in lower middle latitudes of west Palearctic in east Mediterranean zone. Also more coastal, insular, and arboreal, not ranging deep into continental hinterland but inhabiting marine islands and frequenting open-canopy oak woods, olive groves, orchards, almond plantations, and areas of other well-spaced trees with ample crowns.

Eggs laid second half of May and June. Nest site located in low tree, especially olive or oak, or in bush, height above ground 0.5-3 m. Nest is a deep rounded cup of grass, plant stems, strips of bark, and rootlets, including plant down, lined with fine pieces of grass, root fibres, sparingly with horse-hair, sometimes with plant down. Outside covered with thick layer of spiders' webs. 3-4 eggs are laid, Incubation no longer than 13 days.

Presumably chiefly invertebrates; figs recorded in late summer. Forages mainly within canopy of trees, also in bushes, and recorded feeding methodically on ground.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 100,000-1,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 21,000-45,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). 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.

Migratory, all birds wintering in eastern and southern Africa, from Kenya south to Natal (South Africa). Reported only from scattered localities, usually in acacia country. Recorded infrequently on passage in both seasons, chiefly single birds. Departs south chiefly end of July to early September. Arrives in breeding range early May, occasionally in April.