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Key information
The chiffchaff is a small olive-brown warbler which actively flits through trees and shrubs, with a distinctive tail-wagging movement.
Although not always the case, chiffchaffs often have dark legs and a short pale eye stripe, whereas the willow warbler - a very similar looking species - has pale legs and a long yellow eye stripe. It is readily distinguished by its song, from where it gets its name.
It picks insects from trees and also flies out to snap them up in flight.
What they eat:
Insects and spiders.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 10-11cm
- Wingspan:
- 15-21cm
- Weight:
- 6-10g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 1,200,000 territories
- UK wintering:
- 500-1,000 birds
Identifying features:
Chiffchaff
