Strange Songs of Common Birds

Currently, two common species in Germany are causing a bit of confusion as some individuals show a song or call deemed atypical. One is the Garden Warbler Sylvia borin (yes, borin not boring although certain American birders may prefer the latter spelling) and the other is the Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita.

To those readers who speak German, the following links may be of interest. To those who don't, the sound files will still provide pleasure, I presume.

Garden Warbler link here.

Chiffchaff links:

BavarianBirds

A link from Spain

Surfbirds Discussion Threat


On a German birding site (club300.de), a request is posted for information regarding abnormally calling Chiffchaffs: "Neu Aufruf: Abweichend rufende Zilpzalpe " .

Please note that the Chiffchaffs are definitely not Iberian or Siberian Chiffchaffs!

Interesting stuff. I've encountered several of the strange Chiffchaffs during one year now in Germany's South-West but have never encountered any during my 12 years in the North-East of the country. I might do a follow-up post on my latest encounter - time permitting.