Birds / Warblers

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybita

Also known as Common chiffchaff

Uncommon Summer visitor Woodland Gardens

Test yourself

Recording: Patrik Åberg / xeno-canto

Sounds like

Two notes repeated in an uneven, rocking rhythm: 'chiff-chaff-chiff-chiff-chaff'.

Remember it

It sings its own name, and is one of the first migrants heard in spring, from mid-March.

When and where

Listening for the chiffchaff

Heard: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mar to Sep
Time of day: Dawn and Day
Where: Woodland, Gardens
In Britain: Summer visitor
Family: Warblers

Side by side

Often confused with

Play them one after the other and listen for the difference.

Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus collybita

JFMAMJJASOND

It sings its own name, and is one of the first migrants heard in spring, from mid-March.

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilus

JFMAMJJASOND

A wistful sigh down the scale. Looks almost identical to a chiffchaff, but sounds nothing like one.

Great Tit

Parus major

JFMAMJJASOND

'Teacher, teacher.' And if you hear a call you can't place, guess great tit.

Could you pick out a chiffchaff?

Hear a song, choose from four birds, and build your streak.

Play the quiz

Same habitat

Also in woodland

See all

Blackbird

Turdus merula

JFMAMJJASOND

Slow, rich, fluting phrases that wander about and often trail off into a quiet chuckle.

Blue Tit

Cyanistes caeruleus

JFMAMJJASOND

Two or three thin, high notes followed by a fast, shimmering trill: 'tsee-tsee-tsuhuhuhu'.

Chaffinch

Fringilla coelebs

JFMAMJJASOND

A cheerful, accelerating run of notes that tumbles down and ends in a flourish, repeated over and over.

Coal Tit

Periparus ater

JFMAMJJASOND

A fast, high, two-note phrase repeated several times: 'pitchoo-pitchoo-pitchoo'.