Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) - Spring Warbler
Photo taken on 10 May 2025.
The chiffchaff is one of the first songbirds to let its distinctive call be heard in spring: "chiff-chiff-chiff-chiff". This small, inconspicuous bird from the Phylloscopidae family is a typical spring messenger in the Netherlands.
It measures about 11 centimetres, with a greenish-brown upper surface and a somewhat lighter, yellowish underside. At first glance, it closely resembles the fitis, but the chiffchaff has darker legs, a slightly shorter wing projection and a less pronounced brow stripe.
From March, it returns from its wintering grounds around the Mediterranean and can be heard in forests, parks and gardens until summer. Its song is simple but very recognisable. Unlike many other songbirds, the chiffchaff also often sings from lower bushes and young trees.
The 10 May 2025 photo shows the chiffchaff in its fresh spring habitat - exactly the period when it sings in abundance, looks for a mate and starts nesting. The nest is built low to the ground, often well hidden among dense vegetation.
A real spring favourite among bird watchers.
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