Chiffchaff/Warbler ID please

[tich007mt]

I think this is probably a Chiffchaff because it seemed to be making the sounds I imagine it should make. However my inexperience causes me to doubt this as it also looks like the picture of a Willow Warbler in my book.



Can you identify please?

Cheers

Tich

[Ollie]

Hi Tich,
I always find the Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler very difficult to identify on looks alone. A good pointer is that Chiffchaff usually has darker legs than the Willow Warbler but this can be difficult to see at times.

If it was saying Chiff Chaff, Chiff Chaff repeatedly in a what I would describe as a sort of monotonous sound then It's a Chiffchaff the Willow Warbler is much more tunefull.

That's the best I can do anyway
Roger

[Kayleigh]

I'm not very good with birds. But I would say chiffchaff. I am notorious for getting them wrong.

[nutmeg]

A chiffchaff will dip its tail - don't think willow warblers do that (but I'm a beginner when it comes to birds...).

[tich007mt]

Thanks folks - we seem to be none the wiser between us.
However the sounds it was making were a repeated double note sounding like 'chip chap' so I am leaning towards Chiffchaff.

Tich

[watsthat]

That would clinch it Tich. Get it ticked!

[ChrisJB]

It's a chiffchaff. Apart from the song you described, it has dark legs and in the second photo, the primary projection looks short.

Regards, Chris

[Adam Cheeseman]

You can also see an obvious eye-ring, which is barely noticeable in the Willow. Chiffys also dip and fan the tail in one motion, which Willows don't do.

Cheers,

Adam