Chiffchaffs and willow warblers are both summer visitors to the UK. Both birds are small, active woodland warblers with fairly indistinct plumage, and it can be hard to tell the difference between them, particularly as there is some overlap in colour and features.
Chiffhchaff
Round head
1 of 4Dark, spindly legs
2 of 4Olive-green plumage
3 of 4Short primary projection
4 of 4The chiffchaff arrives in the UK in March and leaves again in late August. It has olive-green plumage with dark, spindly legs, a round head and short primary projections on the folded wings. It frequently flicks and dips its tail downwards.
Its song is a series of well-defined notes that sounds like its name; “chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff’. It can be found in mature woodland with dense undergrowth.
Wilow warbler
Flattish head
1 of 5Pale brown legs or darker legs with pale feet
2 of 5Grey-brown plumage
3 of 5Pale belly
4 of 5Long primary projection
5 of 5The willow warbler arrives about a month later and leaves in September. Its plumage is bright and clean with grey-green upperparts and a pale belly. Its legs are pale or sometimes dark with pale feet, it has long primary projections, and a flattish head. It flicks and twitches its tail but does not dip it downwards.
Its song is a short, sweet whistle with a descending cadence. It can be found in almost any woodland but birch, oak, and willow on heaths and moors are favoured.
