Canary Islands Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus canariensis)

Small bird up to 10-11 cm long. Olive-brown upperparts, yellowish underparts, a pale line over the eye (not very visible) and dark legs. Endemic to the Canaries, this species has two subspecies: the nominate, P. canariensis, found in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro, and P. exsul, exclusive to Lanzarote (now extinct). It lives in a wide range of habitats, from low-lying coastal areas to above 2,000 m, including lowland Euphorbia communities, thermophile woodland, evergreen, fayal-brezal firetree and heath, and pine forests, and high montane scrub, cultivated land, urban areas, parks and gardens. It breeds in trees and shrubs in very different settings. The nest is oven-shaped, with an opening on the side, and a clutch of 2-5 eggs (usually 4) is laid inside, up to two or three times a year. An insectivore, it also feeds on the nectar of plants, some of which are endemic to the Canaries, such as Canarina canariensis, Isoplexis canariensis and Navaea phoenicea, thereby contributing to the pollination of several species. This chiffchaff is widespread and not under threat, due to its considerable adaptability to degraded and man-made environments.