The Iberian Chiffchaffs are back from Africa
| Tuesday, 23 April 2013 10:10 |
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The great majority of Common Chiffchaff that have been among us, have already left our forests and hedges to go to their breeding areas and they let space to Iberian Chiffchaffs, which after spent the winter in sub-Saharan areas have arrived at Urdaibai to occupied the areas where they will make their nests.
Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus) The Iberian Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus ibericus) is a species that has been recently described, because until 15 years ago was considered as a subspecies of Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita), which was in the Iberian Peninsula, southwest of France and northwest of Africa. But subsequent studies reveal that there were enough differences to be considered as a different species.
Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochillus) Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) These differences in migration patterns differ from the Common Chiffchaff, as the Iberians are long distance migrants. Regarding to colouring and external morphology the differences are very subtle and they are almost impossible to distinguish at first sight. On the other hand, their sounds are easily distinguishable and at this time are heard mainly in the forests of the Reserve.
Comparative between Iberian Chiffchaff (above) and Willow Warbler (down) Concerning to their breeding areas, it is known that in the Iberian Peninsula are areas where overlap the breeding areas of both Iberian Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler, but as Urdaibai is concerned, along the 10 years of monitoring and marking of passerines, there is no evidence of the breeding of Common Chiffchaff and it is the Iberian who breeds in wooded and bushy areas of Urdaibai.
Breeding forest areas On the other hand, at this moment it is possible to find three species of Chiffchaffs very similar to each other in Urdaibai, because to the Iberian Chiffchaff that have just arrived we must add some Common Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers that are still moving to their breeding areas in the centre and north of Europe. |
