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

There is a very long prominent whitish supercilium, and the pointed bill is thicker than that of the similar dusky warbler.

[3] Radde's warbler breeds in southern parts of Central and Eastern Siberia as far east as Korea and Manchuria.

In its winter quarters it occupies the fringes of forests, thick scrub and bushy places near woodland.

[3] This small warbler is prone to vagrancy as far as western Europe in October, despite a 3000 km distance from its breeding grounds.