It is a large warbler, 18–20 cm long with a wingspan of 23–26 cm. The
plumage is brown above with a paler rump and whitish tips to the tail feathers. The underparts are whitish below, browner on the flanks and undertail-coverts. There are narrow greyish streaks on the throat and breast. It has a dark eyestripe and a whitish stripe above the eye. The fairly long, heavy
bill is brownish above and pink below with a bright orange
gape. The feet are grey. It is slightly smaller, slenderer and shorter-winged than the great reed warbler. Its tail is shorter and more square-ended than that of the
clamorous reed warbler (
A. stentoreus) and it has a slightly longer
primary projection and a slightly shorter and thicker bill. The pale tip to the tail separates it from both species. The
song is a mixture of warbling phrases and guttural, croaking notes. It is given from a prominent perch such as the top of a reed stem or bush. The bird also has a loud, harsh
chack call. ==Distribution and habitat==