About Chiffchaffs

About Chiffchaffs

To start off, here's my birb-book entry for the Chiffchaff ♥

Isn't he cute?! 

I haven't seen very many chiffchaffs out in the wild (only once, to be exact). I hear them all the time as they have a very easily recognizable song, but they are just so darn well camouflaged! 

Listen to their song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnz3EyAZRG8

Here's the text from the pictures since it's not very easy to read there:

 

Chiffchaff (Zilpzalp)

Phylloscopus collybita

  • Name is onomonopoetical in many languages (name sounds like the sound the thing makes)
  • If the Chiffchaff survives its first year, it's likely to live until it's seven! 
  • Male will defend nest area even against large predators like weasels and jays
  • Nest is built on or near the ground, with a side entrance, and is made of dried grasses and leaves

length: 10-12cm

wingspan: 15-21cm

weight: 6-9gram

  • The Chiffchaff's song is one of the first signs of spring!
  • Inconspicuous olive green coloring
  • Chiffchaffs eat 1/3 of their weight in spiders & insects every day
  • Tail continuously bobs up and down while the chiffchaff searches for food
  • eggs are white with dark brown spots

lays 4-6 eggs 2x a year

breeding time of 12-15 days

 

Can you see why I chose these birds as my mascot?

It's the eating 1/3 of their body weight in spiders & insects.

I kid, I kid. 

To be 100% honest, I mostly chose the chiffchaff because it has a cute name. Oops, there she goes, she said it. But, as I dove in and started to learn more about them, the more I fell in love. I love that they are one of the first signs of spring, because spring is my favorite. I love their feisty attitude - they are so brave it's inspiring! I love that they are inconspicuous and you really have to look to see them. 

Chiffchaffs are inspiring to me, and I hope I have been able to share a bit of that inspiration with you today. 

Go forth and be feisty! ♥

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