Along the coast, this species occurs in stands of mangrove, mainly Grey Mangrove Avicennia marina, favouring low, thick stands over tall, open trees (Jennings 2010). Further inland and at freshwater sites near the coast, the species is found in Phragmites reed beds (Jennings 2010). During winter, the species ranges into a wider variety of habitats, including scrub, woodland and date gardens (Aspinall and Porter 2011). The species is secretive, reluctant to fly and generally keeps under vegetation cover (Jennings 2010). It feeds mainly on insects and was once observed killing a gecko (Jennings 2010). In mangrove habitat, it forages on exposed mud near the base of trees and gleans foliage; in reed beds it picks prey from or near the water surface (Jennings 2010). The breeding period lasts from March to early July, when up to three eggs are laid. Nests can be constructed from grass and twigs and woven to branches (Jennings 2010). It has been suggested that the species is double-brooded, but this has not been conclusively proven yet (Jennings 2010).