The chiffchaff is a bird of woodland, scrub, parks and gardens. It sings its name out loud in a simple 'chiff chaff chiff chaff' song, which it performs from the tree canopy. Some chiffchaffs stay all year-round, but most migrate here from Africa. They are one of our earliest arrivals, singing their hearts out from the end of February onwards.
How to identify
Chiffchaffs are a dull green above and pale yellow below, with an off-white belly and a short eyebrow stripe. Willow warblers and chiffchaffs are very similar, olive-coloured warblers, so are best identified by their song: chiffchaffs sing 'chiff chaff chiff chaff'. willow warblers have pale legs, while chiffchaff legs are dark grey.
Did you know?
Chiffchaffs nest on, or close to, the ground, hidden among brambles or nettles. Their domed nests are built by the females out of stems and leaves, and lined with feathers.
