This species has a wide distribution throughout the temperate and boreal regions of the Palearctic (BirdLife International, 2024). In Europe it is widespread, including the Mediterranean region, and is absent only from the extensive agricultural and steppe areas in the eastern part of the continent (Keller et al., 2020). In Spain it is very widely distributed across the peninsula, but is absent from the Balearic and Canary archipelagos, as well as from Ceuta and Melilla (Romay and Justo in SEO/BirdLife, 2022). In the Eurosiberian region it is a common species, while in the Mediterranean region it mainly occupies forest ecosystems of mountainous areas. It is absent from depressions and agricultural plains in the northern plateau and the Ebro valley, as well as in parts of Extremadura and Andalusia (Purroy et al. in Martí and Del Moral, 2003).

In Madrid it is restricted to coniferous forests, showing a preference for subalpine Scots pine woodlands. It extends into lower areas, reaching even the city of Madrid and certain areas in the east and south of the region (Díaz et al., 1994).

In the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park it is one of the most abundant species. The extensive Scots pine forests within the park make this species one of the most numerous, being present across almost its entire area except in the treeless summit zones and rocky outcrops with little arboreal cover.