It is found in the Indian subcontinent, from the Himalayas to Myanmar.

Whistler's warbler was previously placed in the genus Seicercus.

A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2018 found that neither Phylloscopus nor Seicercus were monophyletic.

[3] In the subsequent reorganization the two genera were merged into Phylloscopus which has priority under the rules of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.

[4] The common name commemorates the English ornithologist Hugh Whistler (1889–1943).