Yellowhammer Bird Facts (Emberiza citrinella)

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.

The Yellowhammer can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Yellowhammer can be found in Farmland habitats.

The Yellowhammer can be found in Grassland habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Yellowhammer is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Yellowhammer. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Albania Armenia Georgia Kazakhstan Montenegro Norway Poland Serbia

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Afghanistan Iran Iraq Jordan Kyrgyzstan Syria

Species that pass through the area during migration

Turkmenistan

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Algeria China Egypt Faroe Islands Gibraltar Japan Kuwait Lebanon Malta Morocco Nepal South Korea Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Tajikistan United Arab Emirates

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Yellowhammer displays moderate agility, being adept at perching on hedges and low branches, as well as hopping and running on the ground for foraging. Their ability to engage in aerial chases during breeding season suggests reasonable manoeuvrability in flight.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a small passerine bird weighing between 20-36 grams, the Yellowhammer has limited strength. Their primary activities of foraging and singing don't require significant physical power, though they can defend territories and construct nests.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Yellowhammers show good adaptability, inhabiting various open habitats from farmland to heathland edges. Their ability to adjust their diet seasonally, switching from seeds to insects during breeding, and their partial migratory behaviour in some populations, demonstrate flexibility.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While generally not highly aggressive, male Yellowhammers become territorial during breeding season, engaging in aerial chases to defend their areas. However, they're not known for extreme aggression compared to other bird species.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Yellowhammers display moderate endurance. They can produce up to three broods in a single breeding season, which requires sustained effort. Their ability to survive in various climates and their partial migratory nature in some populations suggest reasonable stamina, though they're not known for exceptional long-distance flights.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Yellowhammer typically lives for 3 to 6 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 13.2 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

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.

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

Main predators include domestic cats, sparrowhawks, and corvids, which may raid nests for eggs and chicks.

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.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Yellowhammer

Similar Birds

Serin

Cirl Bunting

Eurasian Siskin

Yellow Wagtail

Reed Bunting

Corn Bunting

References