Warbler in Kingsdown, Kent, England (1 Viewer)

xaviertaylor · Sep 16, 2018

Hello people! Looking for some advice on a Warbler found today on the south east coast of England, UK. I’m thinking willow warbler... though not sure if leg colour leads towards chiffchaff? It’s in a place known for passing migrants. It was low down in a hedgerow and seemed to be flying in and out catching flies. Do you have any idea?
Thank you

birdboybowley · Sep 16, 2018

Chiffy

Nutcracker · Sep 16, 2018

Chiff fo me too.

xaviertaylor · Sep 17, 2018

Thanks so much for your answers chaps - much appreciated. Would you mind explaining why you come to that conclusion? I’m learning the ropes and would appreciate any info!

KenM · Sep 17, 2018

xaviertaylor said:
Thanks so much for your answers chaps - much appreciated. Would you mind explaining why you come to that conclusion? I’m learning the ropes and would appreciate any info!

The cosmetics of both Chiff Chaff and Willow Warbler "can" overlap, however the wing formula is far more reliable as shown in your 4th image. The tertials (the 3 large feathers that sit on top of the wing are normally equal in length to the longer primaries beneath for WW, and c1/2 the length for Chiff Chaff....It's crude but it kinda works most of the time.

Cheers

xaviertaylor · Sep 21, 2018

KenM said:
The cosmetics of both Chiff Chaff and Willow Warbler "can" overlap, however the wing formula is far more reliable as shown in your 4th image. The tertials (the 3 large feathers that sit on top of the wing are normally equal in length to the longer primaries beneath for WW, and c1/2 the length for Chiff Chaff....It's crude but it kinda works most of the time.

Cheers

Thank you for that - appreciate you taking the time to explain it!

pianoman · Sep 21, 2018

xaviertaylor said:
Thank you for that - appreciate you taking the time to explain it!

To put that another way, the primary projection (the narrow part that sticks out behind the folded wing) is about half the length of the Tertials...

To put it another way again:
http://www.dublinbirding.ie/pages/features/chiff-willow.htm

Warbler in Kingsdown, Kent, England (1 Viewer)

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