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Common Chiffchaff Identification

The Common Chiffchaff is a small and widespread songbird, best known for its repetitive two-note song. You will learn how to identify the Common Chiffchaff by its plumage, song, behaviour, diet, breeding and habitat.
What I look like

What I look like

The Common Chiffchaff has a **brown-gray** plumage.

The Common Chiffchaff has a brown-gray plumage.

The upper part is **gray-brown sometimes greenish**.

The upper part is gray-brown sometimes greenish.

The underparts are **whitish to pale yellow**.

The underparts are whitish to pale yellow.

Its wings are **short**.

Its wings are short.

It has a **pale eyebrow** above the eye.

It has a pale eyebrow above the eye.

It is the size of a **Blue Tit**.

It is the size of a Blue Tit.

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My songs, my calls

My songs, my calls

Its **dissyllabic song "chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff"** resembles a coin counting.

Its dissyllabic song "chiff-chaff-chiff-chaff" resembles a coin counting.

It produces **"hu-it" calls**.

It produces "hu-it" calls.

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How I behave

How I behave

The Common Chiffchaff is noticed by its **song** rather than its brown-gray plumage.

The Common Chiffchaff is noticed by its song rather than its brown-gray plumage.

It can be seen singing in **trees and hedges**.

It can be seen singing in trees and hedges.

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How I reproduce

How I reproduce

The breeding season of the Common Chiffchaff extends from April to August.

It produces **1 to 2 broods per year** of 4 to 7 white eggs spotted with brown.

It produces 1 to 2 broods per year of 4 to 7 white eggs spotted with brown.

Its nest is a **ball** of grass and leaves with a **lateral entrance**.

Its nest is a ball of grass and leaves with a lateral entrance.

It builds its nest near the ground in **dense bushes**.

It builds its nest near the ground in dense bushes.

The **female** builds the ball-shaped nest.

The female builds the ball-shaped nest.

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Understanding the species' life cycle helps you observe them better… and avoid disturbing them. The course covers everything you need to know. Start the course
What I eat

What I eat

The Common Chiffchaff is **insectivorous**.

The Common Chiffchaff is insectivorous.

In spring, it takes advantage of **tree catkins** to find insects.

In spring, it takes advantage of tree catkins to find insects.

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Where to find me

Where to find me

The Common Chiffchaff lives in **deciduous and mixed woodlands**

The Common Chiffchaff lives in deciduous and mixed woodlands

as well as in the **trees and hedges** of parks and gardens.

as well as in the trees and hedges of parks and gardens.

It is sedentary or a medium-distance migrant.

It is sedentary or a medium-distance migrant.

Discover also : Willow Warbler Identification
Finding a species also means understanding its habitat. The Ornitho Mnemolia course helps you locate each bird in the right place. Start the course
The Common Chiffchaff is mainly identified by its distinctive song and brown-grey plumage. It lives in woodlands, hedges and gardens and feeds on insects.