Species Profile
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinella
Yellowhammer
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Yellow Bunting
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Appearance
The Yellowhammer is a striking small bird known for its bright yellow head and underparts in males. Its back and wings are chestnut-brown with dark streaks, creating a rustic appearance. The tail is dark with white outer feathers.
Females are less vibrant, with a paler yellow wash and more streaking on the head and breast. Juveniles resemble females but with even less yellow colouration.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Yellow
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Pink
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- Yellow
- Beak
- Grey
- Legs
- Pink
Male Markings
Chestnut brown streaked back, yellow head and underparts
Tail: Short and brown
Female Markings
Less vibrant yellow plumage, more streaked appearance
Tail: Short and brown
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Yellowhammers inhabit open countryside with scattered bushes and trees. They are commonly found in farmland, heathland edges, and open woodland. Their range extends across much of Europe and into western Asia.
In the UK, they are widespread but have experienced declines. They are year-round residents in much of their range, with some northern populations migrating south for winter.
There have been successful introductions to Australia and New Zealand.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Scotland
Cambridgeshire
Rutland
Bedfordshire
Buckinghamshire
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Lincolnshire
Kent
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
Suffolk
Shropshire
Surrey
Staffordshire
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Yellowhammers primarily feed on seeds, especially those of grasses and cereals. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with insects and spiders, which are crucial for feeding their young. They forage on the ground, often in stubble fields or along field margins.
Behaviour
Yellowhammers are often seen perched on top of hedges or low branches, singing their distinctive song. They forage on the ground in small flocks during winter, hopping and running to find seeds.
During the breeding season, males become territorial and engage in aerial chases to defend their areas.
Calls & Sounds
The Yellowhammer's song is one of the most recognisable in the countryside, often described as sounding like 'a little bit of bread and no cheese'. The rhythm starts slow and ends with a quick, high-pitched note. Their call is a sharp 'zit' or a softer 'twick' when in flight.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for Yellowhammers typically begins in April and can last until August. Males establish territories and attract females with their distinctive song.
Nests are built on or near the ground, often at the base of a hedge or in tall grass. The female constructs a cup-shaped nest using grass and moss, lined with fine grass and hair.
Females lay 3-5 eggs, which are pale purple-white with dark scribble-like markings. Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, and chicks fledge after 11-13 days.
Conservation
While listed as Least Concern globally, Yellowhammer populations have declined significantly in parts of Europe, including the UK. This decline is largely attributed to changes in farming practices, particularly the loss of winter stubble fields and hedgerows.
Conservation efforts focus on promoting wildlife-friendly farming methods.
Population
Estimated: 42,000,000 - 66,000,000 mature individuals[3]
Trend: Decreasing[2]
Population decreasing due to habitat loss
Elevation
Up to 2,000 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- Approximately 2cm x 1.5cm
- Predators:
- Main predators include domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and corvids, which may raid nests for eggs and chicks.
- Alarm calls:
- Sharp, short 'tik' sound
- Breeding age:
- 1
- Maturity age:
- 1
- Feeding times:
- Morning and evening
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss due to agricultural intensification
- Parental care:
- Both parents feed chicks, only female incubates eggs
- Primary calls:
- Distinctive 'little bit of bread and no cheese' song
- Social habits:
- Territorial during breeding season, forms flocks in winter
- Egg appearance:
- Glossy, light blue with fine, dark speckles
- Feeding habits:
- Feeds on the ground, often in flocks outside breeding season
- Breeding season:
- April to August
- Diet variations:
- Eats more insects during breeding season, seeds in winter
- Fledging period:
- Approximately 10-14 days
- Average lifespan:
- 3
- Call description:
- Repeated short notes followed by longer, lower pitched note
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, feeds in the morning and evening
- Nesting location:
- On or near ground in dense vegetation
- Number of broods:
- Up to three
- Incubation period:
- Around 12-14 days
- Nest construction:
- Bowl-shaped nest made of grass and lined with hair
- Migration patterns:
- Northern and eastern populations migrate south in winter
- Migratory patterns:
- Partial migrant, with northern populations moving south in winter
- Age related changes:
- Older males may have brighter yellow plumage
- Prey capture method:
- Picks insects from leaves, stems and ground
- Conservation efforts:
- Habitat management schemes in place in many areas
- Territorial behavior:
- Defends nesting territory with song and displays
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, often returns to same breeding site
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 3-6 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Interacts with other seed-eating birds at feeding sites
Birdwatching Tips
- Listen for the male's distinctive 'little bit of bread and no cheese' song
- Look for bright yellow heads in hedgerows and field edges
- Observe their ground-feeding behaviour in open fields
- In the UK, participate in the RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch to help monitor populations
Did You Know?
- Yellowhammers inspired Beethoven's 5th Symphony opening motif.
- They can produce up to three broods in a single breeding season.
- In New Zealand, introduced Yellowhammers are considered agricultural pests.
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