It breeds across Europe into the temperate western Palaearctic where it is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa.

The common reed warbler was formally described in 1804 by the French naturalist Johann Hermann under the binomial name Turdus scirpaceus.

[4] The genus name Acrocephalus is from Ancient Greek akros, "highest", and kephale, "head".

[5] Ten subspecies are recognised:[4] An older scientific name for the reed warbler was Acrocephalus streperus (Vieill.).

The sexes are identical, as with most warblers, but young birds are richer buff below.

The song is a slow, chattering jit-jit-jit with typically acrocephaline whistles and mimicry added.

This small passerine bird is a species found almost exclusively in reed beds, usually with some bushes.