Chiffchaff or Warbler?

[Words]

Before anyone asks, it didn't sing! Perennial difficulty in identifying them, can anyone find some useful pointers to whether this is a chiffchaff a willow warbler? Whichever, it was about the most cooperative small bird I've seen in a long time.

[Jonners]

Hello Words. Great pics
I always struggle visually on these too, but according to my Collins Bird Guide, the primary projection on a WW is roughly equal to the tertial length, whereas on a Chiffchaff the primary projection is only a good half of the tertial length. You first photo clearly shows roughly equal length, so I will go with Willow Warbler.

[Deb London]

Willow Warbler.
(Also pale legs and facial pattern).
Lovely shots, Words!

[John]

I agree with both of the above but also picking out the bold eye stripe. The Chiffchaff eye stripe isn't as prominent.

John

[Words]

Thanks for the confirmation and explanations. I'll now spend some time trying to drum the differences into my brain!

[Deb London]

The way I understand it (I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong) the WW may have dark legs like the CC, but if they are pale, then you have a WW. That's one that is easy to look for.

Myself - I forget all that, I go on calls and song, LOL

[colincurry]

I have the T shirt on this topic.

I always have to go to the books unless I hear the song. Even then, having not the best of hearing, I can get it wrong.

Colin

PS great shots, too

[ForestPaul]

What a coincidence - yesterday evening me and Mrs Paul were looking at Collins trying to make just the same distinction about a bird sitting on the hawthorn outside our bedroom window. Not as cooperative as yours it disappeared before we got to the relevant page, but we decided WW on balance.
Lovely pics.