Willow or Wood

DMPRITCHARD · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2011, 09:13 PM

I wrote this bird down as a Willow Warbler when I saw it on Skomer at the end of April. But in retrospect the white is very white, and the yellow quite yellow (if you know what I mean). Is it a Willow Warbler as I originally thought, or perhaps a Wood Warbler? Advice welcome...

DMPRITCHARD · #2 (**permalink**) 04-05-2011, 09:22 PM

The first time ever that I have drawn a blank from the good folks here ...... I am increasingly leaning towards Wood Warbler but would welcome any views from the experts. Thanks.

RKB · #3 (**permalink**) 04-05-2011, 09:43 PM

No way is it a Wood Warbler. Besides anything else, the primary projection is much too short in relation to the tail length. It's also not yellow enough on the breast, not green enough on the head, and not silvery-white enough on the belly.

RoyW · #4 (**permalink**) 05-05-2011, 02:40 PM

Yes, this is a Willow Warbler.

Wood Warblers are typically so much brighter that you know when you've seen one - if you think that it may be a Wood, but is possibly 'just a Willow', then you can usually safely put money on it being a Willow!