The song is powerful, grating and rhythmic, built up of hard, scratchy modules in two- or three-syllable groups often described as "karre-karre-karre-kiet-kiet-kiet". It is so loud that it can be heard at a distance of several hundred metres and is readily delivered even in the middle of the day, which is unusual among warblers. The song almost always gives the species away before you catch sight of the bird.