Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilus

Genus · Leaf Warblers Family · Leaf Warblers
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Canopy foliageScrub patchesTree branches

Listen for the soft, descending melody. Visually, look for pale legs and a longer pale eyebrow than the Chiffchaff.

Willow Warbler
Stats
Wingspan17–22 cm
Weight7–12 g
Length11–12 cm
Lifespan wild2–8 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typeDomed nest
Clutch size4–8 eggs
Incubation12–14 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourSolitary

Diet: Insectivore

🐛Caterpillars
🦗Insects
🕷️Spiders

Habitat

🌳 Forest deciduous🏡 Garden
✦ Fun Fact

Despite weighing only about 10 grams, some Willow Warblers migrate more than 12,000 kilometres between Siberia and Africa each year.

About

Despite being tiny, Willow Warbler is one of the most common birds in European woods during summer. It looks very similar to the Chiffchaff with olive-green upperparts. It is a long-distance migrant that winters in sub-Saharan Africa. It prefers open habitats like young birch woods and willow thickets.

Behaviour

Willow Warblers are energetic foragers. They dart between leaves to catch insects. Unlike the Chiffchaff, they rarely wag their tails. Their song is a beautiful, liquid, descending melody. They build domed nests on the ground lined with feathers.

Similar species

Common Chiffchaff
🐦
Common Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybita
Wood Warbler
🐦
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrix
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