Iberian Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus ibericus
Pale yellowish warbler, very similar to Common Chiffchaff. Best separated by consistently different song (slower than that of Common Chiffchaff, and often three-parted) and by call (often gives a falling “dwee” instead of a rising “weet”), but note yellower belly, longer and brighter eyebrow, and longer wings than Common Chiffchaff. Typically found in native woodlands during breeding season in Iberia and Morocco, migrating to West Africa in the nonbreeding season, where also uses open woodlands, tamarisks, and acacia scrub.
Taxonomy
The name "chiffchaff" is onomatopoeic, referring to the repetitive chiff-chaff song of the common chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita). There are similar names in some other European languages, such as the Dutch Tjiftjaf, the German Zilpzalp and Welsh siff-saff.<p>The genus name Phylloscopus is from Ancient Greek phullon, "leaf", and skopos, "seeker" (from skopeo, "to watch"). The specific ibericus is Latin for "Iberian".<p>Previously the Iberian chiffchaff was considered as a subspecies of the common chiffchaff. As of 2016, it is recognised as a separate species under the name Phylloscopus ibericus for the following reasons (compared to the common chiffchaff):<p>Due to current research on these species, it has been discovered that Iberian Chiffchaff is the most divergent among the members of the chiffchaff species complex. The Iberian Chiffchaff is slightly larger and paler, with more olive-colored plumage.<p>In past, erroneously listed as Phylloscopus brehmii.
- Scientific name
- Phylloscopus ibericus
- Authority
- Ticehurst, 1937
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Phylloscopidae
- Genus
- Phylloscopus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : sw France, Portugal, Spain, nw Africa
- Non-breeding range
- w AF
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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A mostly red malimbe found high above the ground in lowland forests, where it probes into clumps of dead leaves and dead branches. Largely red below and black above, but black face and red crown and neck give it a collared appearance. Females are duller than males and have red throats, whereas males have black throats. Found in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, sometimes with other species of malimbe, from which it is distinguished by its wholly red belly. Songs and calls consist of dry, mechanical notes linked together into complex phrases with rasping sounds.
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Odd and distinctive sunbird in which both sexes have a female-like plumage. Shows brown upperparts, pale underparts with black scaling and streaking, a black throat, and white whiskers. There are small yellow tufts at the shoulders, which can be hidden. Found in habitats with trees and bushes on the island of Socotra. Gives a twittering song, and also sometimes mimics other bird species.
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