This species occurs in summer around the Mediterranean, through the Balkans via Turkey, the Caucasus and surrounding regions to Central Asia.

The male has a dark grey head, black eye mask, and white throat.

Females and immatures have a paler head and reddish underparts; their grey back has a brownish tinge.

Its song is more varied than that of the western Orphean warbler,[4] approaching the Nightingale in richness.

[4] These small passerine birds[5] are found in open deciduous woodland.