It is distributed across the temperate regions of the Palearctic, from the western Mediterranean to Central Asia (BirdLife International, 2024). In Europe, it is present in the Mediterranean and southern regions (Keller et al., 2020). In Spain, it is widely distributed throughout the peninsula, occupying mountainous habitats in all systems and ranges, being especially abundant in the northern plateau, although absent from the plateaus and agricultural depressions of the main river valleys. It also breeds in Ceuta and Melilla and is absent from the Balearic and Canary Islands (Aparicio in SEO/BirdLife, 2022).

In the Community of Madrid, it is distributed across the western half, always associated with small, medium, or large sierras. Some populations are also found in the eastern zone, linked to mountainous areas. It prefers heathlands and juniper scrublands, as well as open areas of forests and montane shrublands (Díaz et al., 1994).

In the national park, it is a common and widespread species throughout the protected area. It is most abundant in the Peñalara massif up to its northeastern extreme. It also occurs in the southern and central zones in hillside areas with shrubby habitats and rocky outcrops, as well as in La Pedriza and in the shrubby and rocky slopes south of the Navacerrada pass and along the Cuerda Larga.