Leaf Warblers

Leaf warblers are small, lively birds that eat insects. They have slim bodies, fine pointed beaks, and mostly greenish or yellowish feathers. Although they look quite similar, small differences in their feathers can make them hard to identify. Most have pale stripes above their eyes and on their wings, but these markings can be more or less noticeable. They move quickly through the leaves of trees, often flicking their wings. The family of leaf warblers is found across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Several species breed in or pass through Britain, including the common Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. They prefer wooded areas, from northern forests to Mediterranean scrubland, and some live in mountainous places. Most leaf warblers migrate long distances, spending the winter in tropical parts of Africa and Asia. Their songs and calls are often the best way to tell them apart. For example, the Chiffchaff has a song that sounds like its name being repeated, while the Willow Warbler’s song is a series of notes that go down in pitch.