It is migratory, wintering in eastern Africa, from Eritrea and Somalia south to Tanzania.

This small passerine bird is a species found in semi-desert habitats, frequenting bushy scrub and thickets of tamarisk.

Its frequent tail movement is reminiscent of a Sylvia warbler or a chat.

Its rather grey plumage is similar to the olivaceous warbler, but tail movements are diagnostic.

Ehrenberg's original description of this bird was 'rather vague' and it was redescribed by Henry Baker Tristram in 1864, naming it Hippolais upcheri after his friend Henry Morris Upcher.