"Andrew McGleish" <amcgleish.doesnt.dospam@netscape.net> wrote in
message
news:42c6d7b7$0$2023$ed2e19e4@ptn-nntp-reader04.plus.net...
>
> "Phil Wilson" <philip.wilson@talk21.com> wrote in message
> news:42c6a7db$0$18637$14726298@news.sunsite.dk...
>
>>
>> It was mainly a question of jizz and colouration for me.The
>> angle at which it has been photographed is one of the more
>> difficult ones. In general, because of their longer primary
>> projection, Willow Warblers to me have a more attenuated,
>> elegant look than Chiffchaff, which can look dumpy and dowdy.
>> Generally Chiffchaff looks rounder-headed and shorter-billed
>> adding to its compact appearance, and of course the
>> colouration is often rather drabber and browner (although one
>> has to be careful of moulting Willow adults - the classic
>> bright yellowish-green WWs of late summer are in fact
>> immature. Adult Willows can look very greyish and washed-out
>> in summer). In the present case the pronounced
>> primrose-yellowish tinge and soft grey-green, the apparently
>> longer primaries, the yellow-toned ,also quite bright,
>> eyestripe, longer bill and flatter-looking head and generally
>> elegant appearance made me go for Willow instead of
>> Chiffchaff. Also the legs are convincingly light.
>>
>> Another feature that was mentioned in a previous jog round
>> this topic was that Chiffchaffs routinely flick their wings.
>>
>> I have also found that Willow Warblers chase other passerines
>> more regularly than Chiffchaffs do (quite aggressively in
>> fact), and favour on the whole locations nearer ground level
>> for feeding and singing.
>>
>> Disclaimer: I am no expert on this or anything else.
>
>
> Thanks Phil, very useful. thought the legs looked dark
> though... Lots of WW and CC with us just now so I'll do a bit
> of work with this tomorrow.
>
> Cheers
>
> Andrew
Ok guys please remember...location...location.
This was photographed in the north of God's country
So you are comparing acredula & abietinus of which I have ringed
1 or 2.
Without biometrics and song I would not normally attempt to
separate them...though....though... looking at the bottom picture
I would say the wing is longer and pointed
So I go for Lövsångare in fact looking at it again I would stake
a few öre on it
Bill....