Willow Warbler

Phylloscopus trochilus

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

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Visual Identification

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.

Size

Length

11cm to 12.5cm

Wingspan

16cm to 22cm

Weight

7g to 15g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Olive Yellow

Secondary Colour

White Brown

Beak Colour

Brown

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Willow Warbler can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Willow Warbler can be found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Willow Warbler is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subarctic

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Willow Warbler. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons