The Warbler Family
(Sylviidae)
Order: Passerines (Passeriformes)
Perching Birds
You can explore:
Willow Warbler and the Ciffchaff
Willow
Warbler
& Chiffchaff
(Phylloscopus
trochilus &
Phylloscopus collybita)
The Willow Warbler and the Chiffchaff are two dainty birds which are almost identical to look at.
Both birds are dull, greenish-brown. They have a dark stripe through the eye, and a light stripe above.
You can tell these birds apart by their different songs.
Willow Warbler
Habitat
Both species are found in broad-leaved woodland and northern conifer forests. Willow Warblers are also found in willow and birch scrub.
Food
Both the Willow Warbler and the Chiffchaff eat insects.
Nest and Eggs
The Chiffchaff builds its nest on the ground or in bushes near to the ground. It is made of dry leaves, grass and moss, and lined with soft feathers.
The Chiffchaff lays six o seven white eggs with brown spots, in the month of May. The nest of the Chiffchaff is domed like that of the Willow Warbler.
The Willow Warbler lays seven white eggs, with rust coloured spots, in April, May or June.
Its nest is built on the ground, in grass or at the edge of the bushes.
Where and When?
The Chiffchaff can be found in England, Wales and Ireland throughout the year.
The Willow Warbler can be found throughout Britain, but during the spring and summer months only.
Call/Song
The song of the Chiffchaff is two musical notes, which sound like its own name "Chiff-chaff".
On the other hand, the Willow Warbler sings a song of descending notes, often repeated.
Length
Both birds are 11 cm long.
People used to think these two birds were one and the same species of bird.
Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus palustris
The Reed Warbler is not very eye-catching, being simply dark brown, and light beneath.
It is quite an elegant little bird.
It lives amongst reeds on lakes and marshes. Although the Reed Warbler is hard to spot, you might be able to see its cup-shaped nest, woven in-between the reeds.
Habitat
It is found in reed-beds at the edges of lakes, ponds and on marshland.
Food
The Reed Warbler eats insects.
Nest and Eggs
The nest is a cleverly woven deep cup, made of grass, moss and wool, and threaded in-between three or four living reeds, several feet up from the surface of the water.
Occasionally, the nest is built in a bush. Four or five greenish- white eggs are laid.
The Reed Warbler visits Britain in the summer to breed, and at this time can be found in England and Wales.
Call/Song
The song is a warbling sound.
Length
13 cm.
Fun Fact
The Reed Warbler looks identical to the Marsh Warbler. However, the Marsh Warbler sings a sweeter and more musical song than the Reed Warbler.