Iberian chiffchaff Iberian chiffchaff The Iberian chiffchaff ("Phylloscopus ibericus") is a species of leaf warbler endemic to Portugal, Spain and North Africa, west of a line stretching roughly from the western Pyrenees via the mountains of central Spain to the Mediterranean. The name "chiffchaff" is onomatopoeic, referring to the repetitive "chiff-chaff" song of the common chiffchaff ("Phylloscopus collybita"). There are similar names in some other European languages, such as the Dutch "Tjiftjaf", the German "Zilpzalp" and Welsh "siff-saff". The genus name "Phylloscopus" is from Ancient Greek "phullon", "leaf", and "skopos", "seeker" (from "skopeo", "to watch"). The specific "ibericus" is Latin for "Iberian".
Common chiffchaff of London. These overwintering common chiffchaffs include some visitors of the eastern subspecies "abietinus" and "tristis", so they are certainly not all birds which have bred locally, although some undoubtedly are. The male common chiffchaff is highly territorial during the breeding season, with a core territory typically 20 metres (66 ft) across, which is fiercely defended against other males. Other small birds may also be attacked. The male is inquisitive and fearless, attacking even dangerous predators like the stoat if they approach the nest, as well as egg-thieves like the Eurasian jay. His song, given from a favoured prominent vantage