It winters in south-east Asia from eastern India and Bangladesh to Java.

The eastern crowned warbler is found in open woodland, either mixed or deciduous, at the lower and middle altitudes of mountains, although in the northern part of their range they inhabit dense taiga.

Wintering birds occur in open woodland, deep jungle and mangroves.

This is an arboreal species but it will forage quite low down in vegetation and will join mixed flocks of other small birds in the winter and in the breeding season.

[2] The genus name Phylloscopus is from Ancient Greek phullon, "leaf", and skopos, "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch").