Bird ID please!

[Cazzie]

Hi all! Been out with me camera yet again today and snapped these two - can't make my mind up if they're Chiffchaffs or Willow Warblers. Can anyone confirm please!



Think it was sunbathing here lol!....



Thankies!

[GuyF]

I'd have a guess at Willow Warbler, but these are 2 birds that I find really difficult.
Guy

[Cazzie]

Hmmm.. well I'm thinking Chiffchaff because of the white crescent under the eye?!?

[kshotton45]

Even with an ID book ,it's a close call . They both have that light stripe above the eye.
I'll go for Willow Warbler.

keith.

[rlchew]

These 2 are always difficult unless you hear the song .... and there's not much of that now we are in to mid July.

If I was pushed to choose, I would also say Willow Warbler.

Richard

[ChrisJB]

The front foot on the bottom bird, feeding, looks pale, so i'm going Willow Warbler too.

Regards, Chris

[Cazzie]

Well the song was rather unusual (to me anyway!) which is what drew me to their position in the silver birch sapling. I certainly can't describe it but it wasn't 'pretty' and melodic!

[Adam Cheeseman]

That'll be Willow Warbler then.

Cheers,

Adam

[John]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

The front foot on the bottom bird, feeding, looks pale, so i'm going Willow Warbler too.

Regards, Chris

I'll second that for the same reasons as Chris. Also the Primary projection on the the top right bird looks a little long, diagnostic of Willow, but that could be an illusion on my part.

John

[johnpw]

Forgive me but what is the "primary projection"?

[srameen]

Nearly impossible to tell without hearing them. Anybody going for Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler is bluffing based on these photos (which are very good BTW). There is insufficient difference to decide for these shots.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

The front foot on the bottom bird, feeding, looks pale, so i'm going Willow Warbler too.

Regards, Chris

Agree with John and Chris
Definitely pale foot, so not chiff chaff.

[Cazzie]

Ahh yes, one definately has pale feet - well spotted ChrisJB!

Thanks for you help!

[John]

Originally Posted by johnpw

Forgive me but what is the "primary projection"?

Hi John

Take a look at the top right bird. See where you can see the tip of the main wing projecting from behind that leaf. That is the main primary feathers. With a Chiffchaff they don't extend as far back as they do with a Willow.

You would probably have to see a Chiffchaff and a Willow to fully see that difference but I have a feel that this Primary extends that bit further than I would expect it to on a Chiffchaff.

John

[John]

I don't bluff and I resent that implication. I have studied the bird and in my experience in the field I have come down on the side of Willow.

I of course I could be wrong, although I don't think I am, but any half decent birder that gives an ID on a photo in a forum such as this, and bluffs it, will end up with egg on his or her face. You are easily found out if you do do that.

John

Originally Posted by srameen

Nearly impossible to tell without hearing them. Anybody going for Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler is bluffing based on these photos (which are very good BTW). There is insufficient difference to decide for these shots.

[Dan Salter]

The easy way is to remember the saying " Chiff chaffs have dirty knees" or something like that indicating the chiff chaff has dark legs.

as its hard to see the legs in your shots it is not so useful but going by the light coloured feet i would say willow warbler.

sorry if someone already mentioned the dark legs thing?

Dan

[wellies101]

I'm going willow warbler too, looks slightly longer in the body, given away by the more pronounced head (particularly at the neck area), chiffchaffs tend to look more compact. Also the paler chest which is common in the willow at spring. Tough though, and I could always be wrong.

[ChrisJB]

Regarding the 'song' you heard Cazzie, at this time of the year it would probably be a contact call rather than a song. The Willow Warbler's contact call I find quite melancholy, whilst the Chiffchaff's is more cheery. Not a great deal of help I know, but there you go!

Regards, Chris