Common chiffchaff / Zilpzalp (Phylloscopus collybita)

Zilpzalp vorm Fanel-Plattform. 2024-05-22 17:46:23 Fanel/Chablais de Cudrefin und La Sauge

Observations

First documented observation: 2019-06-04 in Forsthaus. Most recent observation: 2026-05-24 in Fanel/Chablais de Cudrefin und La Sauge.

Description

Classification: Genus Phylloscopus (Phylloscopus); Family Phylloscopidae (Phylloscopidae)
General: In the survey of 2008, there was only 1 Chiffchaff in Fehraltorf for every 7 blackbirds, and it was ranked 19th in the village. Yet in summer 2020 I heard them in nearly every recording I make, whether at home by the brook (Luppmen) or in the woods. I presume their population has exploded in the last 10 years.
General: I see them in middle branches, but not in particularly exposed places.
General: Deutschland: Brut-, Zugvogel
Etymology: Greenish-brown above and off-white below, it is named onomatopoeically for its simple chiff-chaff song. [Link]
[The common chiffchaff's English name is onomatopoeic, referring to the repetitive chiff-chaff song of the European subspecies. [Link]

Seasonal behavior

Year-round bird
Breeding: 04-11 - 08-09
Migration in: 02-20 - 05-01
Migration out: 08-29 - 11-06
More details at Vogelwarte.ch

Other Details

Physical details

Physical details: length=10-11 cm, wingspan=15-21 cm, weight=6-10 g
Habitats: Forest

Vocalisation

Song: Seems to consist of 3 notes repeated randomly, occasionally just 2 notes. Though NABU.de says they stop singing at the end of July, I do hear their 3-note song occasionally in October, but just one or two repetitions.
Song: [Translated from German:] From the middle of August till the end of September the chiffchaff offers regular autumn song. [Link]
Lange Reihen (6-20) von „zilp-zalp“-Rufen, meist abwechselnd in Tonhöhe. (Als bemühe sich der Sänger vergeblich den ersten Ton wieder zu treffen , ohne jedoch weit zu verfehlen.) „Zins zahl, Zins zahl, zahl Zins, Zins Zins zahl“ („Zins“ etwas höher als „zahl“) [Link]
Song a very distinct: "chiff-chaff-chiff-chiff-chaff-chiff", in a regular clock-like rhythm. Each syllable at seemingly random pitch, but no large intervals tonally. Sometimes "get stuck" at one note. [Link] Song attributes: Melody: simple rhythmic, slow, Frequency: high (3-9 KHz) Singing season: 03-01 - 07-31 Dawn chorus start: 35 minutes before dawn.
Calls: Rufe :einsilbiges „hüid“, hinaufgezogen, wandelbar. [Link]
Contact/alarm call a soft, plaintive ascending "hooeet". Similar to W.Warbler, but shorter with a monosyllabic feel. [Link] Repeated rising note, not too loud
XC656913 - Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita - call recorded in Belgium.

XC656913 - Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita - call recorded in Belgium. ♫ Source: XENOCANTO XC656913 - Common Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita - call recorded in Belgium.mp3 (contact call)


Call attributes: Call melody: one note, slow, Frequency: 2-4 KHz, Special sounds: whoop.