Iberian Chiffchaff

Phylloscopus ibericus

Leaf Warblers · Passeriformes · Uncommon

The Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus) is a uncommon leaf warbler found in 22 countries, weighing about 8 g. The Iberian chiffchaff is a species of passerine belonging to the family Phylloscopidae, the leaf warblers.

Least ConcernUncommonEats invertebratesforestdome nest8 g

About the Iberian Chiffchaff

The Iberian chiffchaff is a species of passerine belonging to the family Phylloscopidae, the leaf warblers. This species is found as a breeding bird in southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa. It winters in western Africa south of the Sahara Desert.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

How to identify it

The Iberian chiffchaff is told apart from the common chiffchaff mainly on its song but it also has plumage differences such as the upperparts being a cleaner green colour with no brown hue. The breast is yellow and the belly is white, closer in appearance to a willow warbler (P. trochilus) than the common chiffchaff. This resemblance to willow warbler is enhanced by the distinct dark eyestripe.

What the Iberian Chiffchaff sounds like

Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Sonothèque ADVL · CC0 · via xeno-canto
Recording: Noé Ferrari · CC BY 4.0 · via xeno-canto

Where it lives

Recorded as a rare visitor in Netherlands, Finland, Guinea-Bissau.

When to see it

Best months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, with peak activity in April. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Easily confused with

Quick questions

How do you identify an Iberian Chiffchaff?
The Iberian chiffchaff is told apart from the common chiffchaff mainly on its song but it also has plumage differences such as the upperparts being a cleaner green colour with no brown hue. Full identification notes are on this page.
How big is an Iberian Chiffchaff?
The Iberian Chiffchaff is a tiny sized bird weighing about 8 g.
Where can you see an Iberian Chiffchaff?
The Iberian Chiffchaff occurs in 22 countries, including Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Morocco and the United Kingdom.
What does an Iberian Chiffchaff sound like?
You can listen to 3 field recordings of the Iberian Chiffchaff on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
What birds look similar to an Iberian Chiffchaff?
The Iberian Chiffchaff is most easily confused with the Grey-hooded Warbler, the Green Warbler and the Pallas's Leaf Warbler.
Is the Iberian Chiffchaff endangered?
The Iberian Chiffchaff is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the Iberian Chiffchaff for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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