Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilusJFMAMJJASOND
A wistful sigh down the scale. Looks almost identical to a chiffchaff, but sounds nothing like one.
Sounds like
A soft, sweet cascade of notes that falls gently down the scale and ends with a flourish.
Remember it
A wistful sigh down the scale. Looks almost identical to a chiffchaff, but sounds nothing like one.
Side by side
Often confused with
Play them one after the other and listen for the difference.
Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybitaJFMAMJJASOND
It sings its own name, and is one of the first migrants heard in spring, from mid-March.
Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebsJFMAMJJASOND
A bowler running in and delivering the ball: the notes speed up, then fling out a final 'cheweeoo'.
Could you pick out a willow warbler?
Hear a song, choose from four birds, and build your streak.
Same habitat
Also in woodland
Blackbird
Turdus merulaJFMAMJJASOND
Slow, rich, fluting phrases that wander about and often trail off into a quiet chuckle.
Blue Tit
Cyanistes caeruleusJFMAMJJASOND
Two or three thin, high notes followed by a fast, shimmering trill: 'tsee-tsee-tsuhuhuhu'.
Coal Tit
Periparus aterJFMAMJJASOND
A fast, high, two-note phrase repeated several times: 'pitchoo-pitchoo-pitchoo'.
Dunnock
Prunella modularisJFMAMJJASOND
A hurried, flat, squeaky warble that stays on one level and stops abruptly, like a squeaky wheel turning.