This small passerine bird is a species found in open-canopy oakwoods, olive groves, orchards and almond plantations.

The adult has a dusty- or brownish-grey back and wings, and dusty-white underparts.

Its song is a succession of loud creaks and squawks, lower in pitch than other Hippolais warblers, and slower in delivery.

The genus name Hippolais is from Ancient Greek hupolais, as misspelt by Linnaeus.

It referred to a small bird mentioned by Aristotle and others and may be onomatopoeic or derived from hupo,"under", and laas, "stone".