Greenish Warbler
Phylloscopus trochiloides
The Greenish Warbler is a rare but annual vagrant to Britain, typically seen during spring or early autumn migration, with most sightings occurring in the eastern and southern regions. It is a distinctive leaf warbler that can be spotted in woodland edges, scrub, and gardens, often causing excitement among British birders.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Greenish Warbler in the field.
The Greenish Warbler can be identified by its bright green upperparts, yellowish-green wings, and a distinctive white eye-ring, as well as its pale yellowish-buff breast and belly. Its shape is typically warbler-like, with a rounded head and a short, pointed bill.
The Greenish Warbler is slightly smaller than a Chiffchaff, measuring around 10-12 cm in length, making it a compact and agile bird.
The male Greenish Warbler has a bright green back, wings, and tail, with a yellowish-green tint to the wings and tail, and a pale yellowish-buff breast and belly, with a white eye-ring and a short, dark stripe through the eye.
The female Greenish Warbler is similar to the male, with slightly duller green upperparts and a more subdued yellowish-buff tone to the breast and belly.
The Greenish Warbler's call is a sharp, high-pitched "tsoo" or "tzee", often repeated in a series, while its song is a melodic, whistled phrase, typically consisting of a series of descending notes.
The Greenish Warbler is an active and agile bird, often flitting between branches and flying quickly between trees, as it forages for insects and spiders in the foliage, frequently hovering in front of leaves to catch its prey.
The Greenish Warbler can be confused with the Yellow-browed Warbler, but can be distinguished by its brighter green upperparts, lack of a yellow brow, and a more subdued yellowish-buff tone to the breast and belly, as well as its distinctive white eye-ring and call.
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