The Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita, is a common and widespread leaf warbler which breeds throughout the northern and temperate Europe and Asia. It is probably the best-known of all Old World warblers.
This warbler is less strongly migratory and hardier than most leaf warblers; northern breeders winter in southern and western Europe (north to Britain), southern Asia and north Africa. Along with the Sand Martin, it is the first passerine to return in the spring, and the Chiffchaff is one of the last to leave in late autumn.
This is a bird of open woodlands with some taller trees and ground cover for nesting. The nest is built in low shrub. Like most Old World warblers, this small species is insectivorous.
This is a typical leaf warbler in appearance, greenish brown above and off-white below. It is very similar to the Willow Warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus, but non-singing birds can be distinguished from that species by their dark legs, fine dark bill, dumpy shape and short primary projection .
This warbler gets its name from its simple song, a repetitive cheerful "chiff-chaff". This song is one of the first avian signs that spring has returned.
The greyer eastern subspecies Siberian Chiffchaff, Phylloscopus (collybita) tristis from Siberia is sometimes considered to be a full species and has a very distinct call and song, although it intergrades with the nominate subspecies in the west of its range. The northern subspecies Phylloscopus collybita abietinus, which occurs in Scandinavia and northern Russia, is intermediate in appearance, but has the same calls and song as the nominate subspecies.
Three very similar species have recently been split from Phylloscopus collybita. This is on the basis of DNA differences and reproductive isolation.
These are:
- Iberian Chiffchaff, P. ibericus, of Portugal and southern Spain, wintering in west Africa
- Canary Island Chiffchaff, P. canariensis, resident
- Mountain Chiffchaff , P. sindianus, of the Caucasus, moving to lower altitudes in the same area in winter
Last updated: 10-14-2005 14:01:05
