Common Chiffchaff/Tiuf-teaf (Phylloscopus collybita)
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Chiffchaff is a common and widespread summer visitor (April to September) to woodlands, as well as a common passage migrant and scarce winter visitor.
Very similar to Willow Warbler and about the same size as that species. Ages and sexes identical. Largely dull greenish above, slightly paler below. Has faint supercilium and dark eyestripe, as well as a narrow white eyering. Legs are usually dark, though pale-legged birds have been noted. In comparison to Willow Warbler, note duller green colour, dark legs, call and behaviour - frequently dips tail. Chiffchaffs from Scandinavia and Siberia can appear (rarely) on autumn passage in Ireland, these being almost pure white underneath and brown-grey above.
A rather vocal species. The most frequently heard call is a quiet “hu-it”. This is rather similar to that of the Willow Warbler and some experience is required to separate the two species on call alone. The song is a distinctive “tsilp-tsulp-tsilp-tsulp”, (i.e. “chiff-chaff”) usually repeated five or six times.
Not as common or widespread as the Willow Warblers with Chiffchaffs favouring deciduous woodlands and well vegetated hedgerows for breeding rather than boggy or marshy areas.
The Irish breeding population migrates south to winter around the Mediterranean basin. Chiffchaffs seen here during the winter months will have come from Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe. (Birdwatch Ireland)
This individual was a fresh Spring migrant at the East Coast Nature Reserve in Co. Wicklow. The bird was singing and moving through the hedgerows in front of the Main Hide. Always a treat to see and hear.
Common Chiffchaff/Tiuf-teaf (Phylloscopus collybita)
Shorebirds of Ireland, Freshwater Birds of Ireland and The Birds of Ireland: A Field Guide 2nd Edition with Jim Wilson.
www.markcarmodyphotography.com
The Chiffchaff is a common and widespread summer visitor (April to September) to woodlands, as well as a common passage migrant and scarce winter visitor.
Very similar to Willow Warbler and about the same size as that species. Ages and sexes identical. Largely dull greenish above, slightly paler below. Has faint supercilium and dark eyestripe, as well as a narrow white eyering. Legs are usually dark, though pale-legged birds have been noted. In comparison to Willow Warbler, note duller green colour, dark legs, call and behaviour - frequently dips tail. Chiffchaffs from Scandinavia and Siberia can appear (rarely) on autumn passage in Ireland, these being almost pure white underneath and brown-grey above.
A rather vocal species. The most frequently heard call is a quiet “hu-it”. This is rather similar to that of the Willow Warbler and some experience is required to separate the two species on call alone. The song is a distinctive “tsilp-tsulp-tsilp-tsulp”, (i.e. “chiff-chaff”) usually repeated five or six times.
Not as common or widespread as the Willow Warblers with Chiffchaffs favouring deciduous woodlands and well vegetated hedgerows for breeding rather than boggy or marshy areas.
The Irish breeding population migrates south to winter around the Mediterranean basin. Chiffchaffs seen here during the winter months will have come from Scandinavia and Central and Eastern Europe. (Birdwatch Ireland)
This individual was a fresh Spring migrant at the East Coast Nature Reserve in Co. Wicklow. The bird was singing and moving through the hedgerows in front of the Main Hide. Always a treat to see and hear.