Found in most forested areas of Madagascar, where it is the most widespread of the two brush warblers endemic to the island. Relatively abundant, its song is usually heard in thick understory vegetation despite the skulky behavior of the species. I have seen this species in Madagascar.

Breeds across deciduous forests and gardens of most of central, east and north Europe, being a long-distance migrant which moves to southern Africa during the winter. It is an expert on mimicry, with very complex songs featuring squish toy-like notes and calls. This is a breeding species in Helsinki.

Breeds in mid altitude and montane moist scrub of southwestern Europe and Morocco and migrates south to the Sahel and east Africa wooded savanna in winter. Almost identical to the icterine warbler except for its shorter wings. This is a breeding species in Alicante.

Breeds in east Asia and winters in the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It keeps a low profile in grassy areas, dense shrubs and vegetation at forest edge, not necessarily close to water. I have seen this species in India.

Breeder of dense bushes of open areas mostly in Central Asia, migrating to a variety of habitats in the Indian Subcontinent. Extremely similar to other species in the family, but also reminiscent of leaf warblers. I have observed this species in India.

Localized breeder in tamarisk woodlands and oasis of the western Iberian Peninsula and Morocco, migrating south to east Africa in winter. This species breeds locally in Alicante, where it usually remains hidden and hard to see even at the breeding territories.

Common summer visitor to wetlands and reedbeds of Northern Europe, spending the winter all the way down to southern Africa. Best located by its voice, sometimes delivered on a short singing flight. This species is an abundant breeder in Helsinki and a common migrant in wetlands of Alicante.

Sedentary or short-distance migrant of wetlands along the Mediterranean basin east to Central Asia and north India. Skulky and hard to see, often creeping like a little mouse on the lowest parts of reeds. This is a resident species in certain wetlands of Alicante.

Breeds in thick understory of open forest and forest edge of Central Asia to northeast Europe and spends the winter in the Indian Subcontinent. Unlike many of the members of its genus, it can thrive far from wetlands or large water bodies. This species is an uncommon summer visitor to Helsinki.

Breeds in grassy areas and well-developed ruderal vegetation of central Europe, often close to water bodies. Its song is a complex combination of syllables mimicked from other European and African birds. This species is an uncommon summer visitor to Helsinki.

Widely distributed and abundant in wetlands across Europe, migrating to southern Africa in winter. The ‘European‘ form scirpaceus occurs in Helsinki whereas birds breeding in the Iberian Peninsula, including Alicante, belong to the ‘African‘ form baeticatus.

Reed-dwelling bird breeding across Europe and spending the winter in eastern and southern Africa. Its large size, disproportionately large head and rough song are distinctive. This species is a common breeding visitor in reedbeds of Alicante — including wetlands and gullies — and also occurs in Helsinki.

Breeds in papyrus and reed-covered wetlands, with a distribution range spanning from the Nile river and the Persian Gulf to the Indian Subcontinent, with somewhat isolated populations in Java and the Philippines. Large and not particularly elusive. I have seen this species in Qatar, urban Kuwait and India.