ID for Warbler ? UK (1 Viewer)

[Musoman]

Some people photographing this bird were convinced it was a Ceti's Warbler but it didn't look much like one to me.

I thought Sedge Warbler but would like proper confirmation.

Bird was captured at Ham Wall NR, Somerset Levels, Wednesday 24th May

 

[KenM]

Looks like a Chiffy to me.

Cheers

 

[Alexander Stöhr]

Hello,
Excellent pictures! Tfs!
I agree with Ken, it's either a Chiffchaff or a Willow warbler for me, too.
Clear, evident mossy green and pure cold yellow hues ( not in the bufish/cream range) are bad for Sedge and Cettis Warbler

It's a Willow Warbler imo. PP is hard to judge, but just ok for a short winged WW.
Long supercilium, yellow streaking to breast and gut feeling are better for WW imo. And yes, I can only count there emarginations.

I can't ask for more pictures here, but I hope for more comments. No offense you know, Ken! You might well be right.

 

[Musoman]

Thanks people. Well it's narrowed it down to 2 possibles.

 

[Musoman]

Oh i can tell you a bit which i forgot. When it was zipping in and out with food, it had some disinctive thin streaks of yellow underneath.

It was way too quick for me to get a shot in flight

 

[maplekong]

I think it's a Chiff-chaff, beak and legs darker. It's a really good photo.

 

[maplekong]

Did it sing?

 

[Musoman]

Cheers maplekong - no it didnt sing. Not round it's nest and feeding chicks. Presumably so as not to alert predators
I didnt know that Chiffs had darker legs than WW's. My bird definately has darker legs than a WW

So thanks for confirmations, my bird is a Chiff Chaff

 

[maplekong]

Willow warblers also have paler bellies than it would appear in this photo. Lovely photos.

 

[Musoman]

Thanks a lot. Its luck whether you're in the right place at the right time. We had to stand well back too, because of possible disturbance.

 

[THE_FERN]

Cheers maplekong - no it didnt sing. Not round it's nest and feeding chicks. Presumably so as not to alert predators
I didnt know that Chiffs had darker legs than WW's. My bird definately has darker legs than a WW

So thanks for confirmations, my bird is a Chiff Chaff

This character is variable and you can't rely on it. If there really are only 3 not 4 emarginations (I only count 3 too) then it's definitely a willow warbler albeit a short winged one. Other features show some overlap. It's rare for chiffchaff to such a yellow brow as this, but not unknown. And let's not get started with Iberian chiffchaff...

 

[maplekong]

Oh dear.

 

[RafaelMatias]

Emarginations on PP3-5, P6 clearly without emargination (photo 3 conclusive in this respect), together with all other features mentioned make this a Willow Warbler.
Body structure elongated and primary projection nearly 100% (measured on screen also from photo 3).

 

[KenM]

Emarginations on PP3-5, P6 clearly without emargination (photo 3 conclusive in this respect), together with all other features mentioned make this a Willow Warbler.
Body structure elongated and primary projection nearly 100% (measured on screen also from photo 3).

Must remember to count the emarginations…😩

 

[Musoman]

For me, after i was informed by maplekong about the Chiff's darker legs than WW, i found a picture that fits with Chiff Chaff

 

[KenM]

The “main” differential between Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler Musoman is the wing structure. Emarginations on the wing- Three for Willow Warbler and four for Chiffchaff is a constant and over-rides the bare part and plumage tones which in themselves can overlap.👍

 

[KenM]

Here’s a Willow Warbler Musoman with
3 emarginations on p3, p4 and p5 only. 👍

 

[Simon G]

Here’s a Willow Warbler Musoman with
3 emarginations on p3, p4 and p5 only. 👍

Not bad, but the OP's third picture shows the primaries better than just about any photo I've seen of this species. Even the semi-mythical p1 which I can hardly ever make out on photos of the closed wing. One for the Opus, annotated?

 

[Musoman]

Here’s a Willow Warbler Musoman with
3 emarginations on p3, p4 and p5 only. 👍

I like that Ken. You guys always check the wings, but even the WW beak and legs are different from a CC.

My birds dark legs help, and also the beak

 

[Butty]

Some basic stuff, way before getting to emarginations, rules out your first two options immediately . . .

Some people photographing this bird were convinced it was a Ceti's Warbler

Cetti's warbler is basically warm brown above.

I thought Sedge Warbler

They're streaky with a big fat supercilium.