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! ♥