The Chiffchaff is a tiny leaf warbler about the size of a Blue Tit. Chiffchaffs are among the first migrant songbirds to arrive in the spring. They winter in the Mediterranean and western Africa.
In spring and summer, they have brownish-green upper parts and buff underparts. There is a dark eye stripe through the eye, a pale eyebrow and a thin pale eye ring.
The Chiffchaff is practically indistinguishable from the Willow Warbler, though it is less yellow, has shorter eyebrows and often has darker legs. They also tend to be found towards the tops of trees and bushes, in woodland areas.
The Chiffchaff’s and Willow Warbler’s calls are almost identical, “hweet” or “hooeet”.
Chiffchaffs feed on insects, such as midges and other flies, and caterpillars and moths, which they find by foraging in tree canopies and among bushes.
The female Chiffchaff does the nest building. The domed nest is built on or very close to the ground in tall grass, bushes, or wall creeping plants. Dead vegetation (stems and leaves) are used for the construction, and a thick feather lining.The duties of incubating the eggs are performed by the female. The eggs are about 15 mm by 12 mm, smooth and glossy, white with purplish or black markings. The young birds are fed by the female only.
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Planting Data
volunteer (it just appeared in my garden!)
Comments
TangoFlowers wrote:
Nice to have such a friendly garden visitor to eat your insects! Sounds like they have a pleasant call also :)
Posted on 13 Jul 11 (almost 2 years ago)
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