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Birds by name

Chiffchaff

Conservation status: Green

A small olive-brown warbler which actively flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement. Less bright than the similar willow warbler and readily distinguished by its song, from where it gets its name. Picks insects from trees and also flies out to snap them up in flight.

Overview

Latin name

Phylloscopus collybita

Family

Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)

Where to see them

Lowland woodlands, parks and large gardens.

When to see them

All year round, but most arrive in late March and depart in August and September.

What they eat

Insects.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-807,000 territories500-1,000 birds-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

In the UK
All, except for far N and W of Scotland.

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Patrik Aberg, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff
  • Size: robin-sized or smaller
  • Feather colours: brown, cream/buff, green, yellow
  • Beak colours: black/dark grey
  • Beak length: short
  • Beak thickness: short
  • Leg colour: black/grey, brown
  • Behaviour: part of flock, wagging or flicking tail, bird hops on the ground

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