Willow warblers are small birds with grey-green backs and pale under parts. They have a yellow tinged chest and throat and pale supercillium (the stripe above the eye). They are separated from the very similar chiffchaff by their song. Their population, especially in southern Britain, has undergone a moderate decline over the past 25 years making them an Amber List species.
Key ID Features:
Very similar to Chiffchaff but pale rather than black legs, longer wings and a slightly yellower appearance help to separate if good views are possible.
The song is a more simple separation, the Willow Warblers mellow cascading song seeming to gradually taper away contrasting with the Chiffchaffs repetitive attempts to tell you it's name.
Overview
Scientific name: Phylloscopus trochilus.
Family: Warblers and allies (Sylviidae)
Where to see them:
Willow warblers are widespread and can be seen in suitable habitat across most of the UK.
Seen in UK:
April-September.
What they eat
A wide variety of small insects and spiders. Fruit and berries in autumn.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
For more information click here
Photographer: Tim Tapley
