Eastern Bonelli's Warbler vs Chiffchaff - Romania (1 Viewer)

[la_ravachol]

I've a question regarding the calls of these birds. I found a few warblers making a call that I understand to be typical of Eastern Bonelli's, a 'tzit' sound, nothing like the usual Chiffchaff call. Do Chiffchaffs have a similar less frequently used call though? Eastern Bonelli's is uncommon here so I don't want to be jumping to conclusions based on just a call and so I know for future reference. TIA.

 

[Gander]

Not familiar with Eastern Bonelli, but could the few birds have been Chiffchaff juveniles? The call, if not a hweet, might stray to a hiip.

 

[la_ravachol]

Good shout, would be consistent with behaviour too. Living where I do I never encounter juvenile Chiffchaffs, so unfamiliar. I've noticed another call from adults I've never heard before too - don't know if it's a regional thing or what, but interesting all the same.

 

[cafe birder]

I once came across a standard Chiffchaff in SW England giving a call very like Eastern Bonellis in spring. I concluded that occasionally some individuals just have aberrant calls so yours could definitely be a standard (common) chiffchaff. Having said that I have only heard one out of many thousands of chiffchaffs do this so it must be uncommon