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.
Insects and spiders.
Chiffchaffs can be found in lowland woodlands, parks and large gardens.
Chiffchaffs can be seen all year round, but most arrive in late March and depart in August and September. More have been over-wintering in recent years.
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