It is a species of Old World warbler in the Sylviidae family. It is found in Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, and Western Sahara.

Breeds in lower middle latitudes in Mediterranean and steppe-desert zones, in hilly areas covered with scrub and in poorest forests of holm oak where more bushy conditions occur. In Atlas mountains of Morocco, inhabits bushes between large well-spaced cedars which occur above 1600 m; also in relatively dense shrub cover of juniper, Cistus, Buxus, Pistacia, etc. Winters in Morocco in lower and more open bushy habitats, even to desert fringes, including oases, saline areas, and river beds.

In bush, 1-1.5 m above ground. Nest: deep cup of coarse grasses lined with finer grasses and plant down and sometimes horse hair. Clutch: 3-5. (No information on incubation and fledging periods.)

Chiefly insects. Habits similar to Dartford Warbler: explores bushes, daintily hopping from twig to twig, and also forages among clumps of grass.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 880,000 km². The global population size has not been quantified, but it is believed to be large as the species is described as 'common' in at least parts of its range (Urban et al. 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.

Partial migrant, making altitudinal and mainly short-distance movements, occasionally reaching southern edge of Sahara. Some birds present mid-winter in breeding range.