The species occurs in deciduous and mixed woodland with a substantial shrub layer, favouring edge zones; it occupies a variety of semiopen habitats with scattered trees and bushes, suburban parks, and gardens. Its range extends across the Palearctic region, from W Europe & Scandinavia to Kamchatka & Japan, S to the Middle East (Harrap 2020). It is widespread in Europe, except for N Fennoscandia, SW Russian steppes and some islands (Keller et al. 2020).
Mostly resident species in the temperate and Mediterranean regions, N populations are partially migratory.
Its population trend in Europe is stable. Evaluated as “Least Concern” (BirdLife International 2021).