Watercolor portrait of Arctic Warbler (Phylloscopus borealis)

Arctic Warbler

Phylloscopus borealis
Breeds from northern Scandinavia east ac… Breeding birds favor willow and birch sc… Uncommon Dry Rattle Song

Learn to identify the Arctic Warbler by ear. Master the "tsi-tsi-tsi-trrrr!" phrase and tell it apart from similar species.

“tsi-tsi-tsi-trrrr!”

What the Arctic Warbler sounds like

Arctic Warbler is a sturdy, cool-toned leaf warbler with a long pale eyebrow and a neat, purposeful look. In the field it often seems calmer than twitchier warblers, working through willow or birch leaves and tossing out a dry, scratchy song.

“tsi-tsi-tsi-trrrr!”

How to tell it apart

Listen for:A short, scratchy burst of rapid notes, dry and insect-like. It often sounds like a tiny reel or zipper being pulled. Often written as “tsi-tsi-tsi-trrrr!”.
Don't confuse with:The Common Chiffchaff — check the legs: arctic has pale yellowish, orange-brown, or pinkish legs, while chiffchaff's are dark, often almost black.

Where you'll hear it

Breeding birds favor willow and birch scrub, river thickets, and open taiga in the far north. On migration and in winter, they use woodland edges, forest, secondary growth, and coastal groves.

Most conspicuous in late spring and summer, when males sing from exposed perches over scrub and young woodland. During migration and winter it can be quieter, slipping through the canopy with sharp buzzy calls.

Similar species

Common Chiffchaff

Check the legs: Arctic has pale yellowish, orange-brown, or pinkish legs, while Chiffchaff's are dark, often almost black.

Eastern Crowned Warbler

Eastern Crowned usually shows a short, narrow pale wing bar on the greater coverts, sometimes with only a faint extra bar; Arctic's main greater-covert bar can look broader and its face plainer.

Greenish Warbler

Greenish Warbler usually shows just one wing bar on the greater coverts too, so wing-bar count alone will not separate it; Two-barred Warbler is the one with two obvious bars.

Arctic Warbler song FAQ

What does an Arctic Warbler sound like?
A short, scratchy burst of rapid notes, dry and insect-like. It often sounds like a tiny reel or zipper being pulled. Listen for the "tsi-tsi-tsi-trrrr!" phrase.
How do I tell an Arctic Warbler from a Common Chiffchaff by sound?
Common Chiffchaff: Check the legs: Arctic has pale yellowish, orange-brown, or pinkish legs, while Chiffchaff's are dark, often almost black.; Arctic looks larger and longer-billed, with a stronger eyebrow and a flatter, calmer look.; Chiffchaff usually flicks more and gives very different calls and song..
When is the best time to hear an Arctic Warbler?
Most conspicuous in late spring and summer, when males sing from exposed perches over scrub and young woodland. During migration and winter it can be quieter, slipping through the canopy with sharp buzzy calls.