Willow Warbler

Species Profile

Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilus

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

2–4 years[4]

Length

11–12.5 cm

Weight

7–15 g

Wingspan

16–22 cm

Migration

Long-distance Migrant

A small songbird with a big voice, this globe-trotting traveler covers an astonishing 12,000 km during its annual migration.

Also known as: Willow Wren

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Gallery

Close up of a Willow Warbler
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Close up of a Willow Warbler

Appearance

The Willow Warbler is a small, slender bird with olive-green upperparts and pale yellow underparts. It has a distinctive pale supercilium (eyebrow stripe) and a thin, pointed bill.

Males and females are virtually identical in appearance. Juveniles are similar to adults but have a slightly yellower overall plumage. The species shows little seasonal variation in its plumage.

Identification & Characteristics

Colors

Primary
Olive
Secondary
White
Beak
Brown
Legs
Brown

Attributes

Agility85/100
Strength20/100
Adaptability80/100
Aggression40/100
Endurance90/100

Habitat & Distribution

Willow Warblers inhabit open woodlands, forest edges, and scrubland across much of Europe and western Asia. They prefer areas with birch, willow, and other deciduous trees mixed with undergrowth.

As long-distance migrants, they winter in sub-Saharan Africa. In the UK, they are widespread summer visitors, arriving in spring and departing by early autumn.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

Wales

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

United Kingdom

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

England

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Northern Ireland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Scotland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Cambridgeshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Rutland

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Bedfordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Buckinghamshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Berkshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Bristol

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Cheshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Cornwall

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Cumbria

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Derbyshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Devon

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Gloucestershire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Dorset

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Durham

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

East Riding of Yorkshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov

Essex

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

East Sussex

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Hampshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Herefordshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Hertfordshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Isle of Wight

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Kent

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Merseyside

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Lancashire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Leicestershire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Lincolnshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

London

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Manchester

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Northumberland

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Norfolk

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Northamptonshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Nottinghamshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

North Yorkshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Oxfordshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

South Yorkshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Tyne and Wear

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

West Midlands

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Suffolk

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct

Shropshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Somerset

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Surrey

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Staffordshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Stockton-on-Tees

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Warwickshire

BreedingApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Wiltshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

West Yorkshire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Worcestershire

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

West Sussex

BreedingMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
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Diet

Willow Warblers primarily feed on small insects and spiders. They glean prey from leaves and branches, often hovering to reach items on the undersides of foliage. In autumn, they may supplement their diet with small berries and fruits to build fat reserves for migration.

Insect eggs also form a large part of their diet. Insects are caught mainly from the tree canopy but may also be hunted on the ground.

Behaviour

Willow Warblers are active and agile birds, often seen flitting through foliage in search of insects. They frequently hover while foraging, plucking prey from leaves.

During the breeding season, males establish and vigorously defend territories through song and displays.

Calls & Sounds

The literary definition of the word ‘warbler’ itself is a melodic sequence. Willow Warblers, like all warblers, are named as such because they are capable of melodic songs.

The Willow Warbler's song is a sweet, melodious warble that descends in pitch, often ending with a flourish. It can be described as a soft 'tsuu-ee-tsuu-ee-tsuu-ee-tsu-u-u'. Their call is a soft, plaintive 'hoo-eet' or 'hoo-ee'. The pitch is lower than birds of similar size.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding occurs from April to July. Males attract females with their melodious songs and aerial displays. Pairs are monogamous during the breeding season.

The female builds a domed nest on or near the ground, hidden in dense vegetation. The nest is made of grass, leaves, and moss, lined with feathers. A typical clutch consists of 5-6 white eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 13-14 days, performed mainly by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 12-14 days. Pairs often raise two broods per season.

Conservation

While currently listed as Least Concern globally, Willow Warbler populations have declined in parts of Europe, including the UK. Habitat loss in both breeding and wintering grounds, as well as climate change impacts, are potential threats.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable breeding habitats.

LCLeast Concern
[1]

Population

Estimated: 413,000,000 - 647,000,000 mature individuals[3]

Trend: Decreasing[2]

Elevation

Sea level to 1,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:
Main predators include sparrowhawks, domestic cats, and small mammals such as weasels and stoats. Nest predators may include jays, magpies, and rodents.

Birdwatching Tips

  • Listen for their distinctive descending song in woodland edges and scrub
  • Look for their constant movement through foliage, often at eye level
  • Observe their habit of hovering briefly while foraging
  • In the UK, watch for their return in early spring (late March to April)

Did You Know?

  1. Willow Warblers can fly up to 12,000 km (7,456 miles) during their annual migration, one of the longest by any songbird.
  2. They are one of the most numerous summer migrants in the UK, with over 2 million breeding pairs.
  3. Despite their name, they are not closely related to New World warblers.

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