What is the difference between a chiffchaff and a willow warbler?

What is the difference between a chiffchaff and a willow warbler?

They are small birds with slender legs and bill. The easiest way to tell these two birds apart is by leg colour. Chiffchaffs have black legs and willow warblers have light brown legs. Chiffchaffs constantly flick their tails whereas willow warblers only do it occasionally.

How do you identify Siberian chiffchaff?

Identification

1. Absence of olive in the crown and mantle.
2. Absence of yellow away from the underwing.
3. Presence of a grey-brown or pale brown hue in the upperparts.
4. Presence of warm buff in the supercilium and ear-coverts.
5. Presence of buff at the breast-sides/flanks.
6. Very black-looking bill and legs.

How long does a chiffchaff live?

Breeding & Survival

— Productivity and Nesting Success
View latest trends from the Nest Record Scheme
Maximum Age from Ringing	7 years 7 months 24 days (set in 1997)
Typical Lifespan	2 years with breeding typically at 1 year
Adult Survival	0.306 ± 0.036

Why is it called a chiffchaff?

The chiffchaff is named after its song. It is one of the UK’s smallest native birds. Flies are an important part of the chiffchaff’s diet. The chiffchaff is named after its song.

Which bird makes a chiffchaff sound?

Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) bird song This tiny bird is named after its sweet song, which has a ‘chiffchaff chiffchaff’ sound. It is one of the first songbirds to be heard during early spring, when it arrives from West Africa and the Mediterranean.

Which bird is similar to a chiffchaff?

Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers are two birds that most new birders struggle with. They are both phylloscopus warblers, which means they are in the same family as each other and as so look very alike.

Is Siberian chiffchaff a separate species?

The common chiffchaff (P. collybita) has been divided into five different subspecies, including subspecies abietinus (eastern European common chiffchaff) and tristis (Siberian chiffchaff).

Is a Chiffchaff a warbler?

Chiffchaff v Willow Warbler. Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers are two birds that most new birders struggle with. They are both phylloscopus warblers, which means they are in the same family as each other and as so look very alike. They are both small birds with slender legs and bill.

Do Chiffchaffs overwinter?

The Chiffchaff is a widespread and adaptable species, wintering across a range of more than 40º in latitude.

Are Chiffchaffs resident in the UK?

Chiffchaffs are migratory birds to some parts of the UK, resident in others i.e. in the south of England, everywhere south of Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and East Anglia; Chiffchaffs spend the summer in the north of the UK, except certain parts of north and north east Scotland.

Is a chiffchaff a warbler?

Is a chiffchaff a bird?

Chiffchaffs are insectivorous birds, and prefer leaf insects such as caterpillars, gnats and midges. In fact, the term Phylloscopus means “leaf explorer”, as Chiffchaffs tend to feed on the undersides of leaves where aphids congregate due to the build up of sugary sap. They are also considerably keen on flies.