This bird was named after the German zoologist Peter Simon Pallas.

[3] The sixth edition of Clements Checklist [4] refers to this species as "Pallas's warbler", a name more commonly used for Phylloscopus proregulus.

This small passerine bird is found in tall grass with some thicker vegetation, usually close to water in bogs or wet meadows.

The adult has a streaked brown back, whitish grey underparts, unstreaked except on the undertail.

It is very similar to the common grasshopper warbler, but is slightly larger, has white tips to the tail and tertial feathers, and a warmer brown rump.