Yellowhammer

A bright-headed bird of hedgerows, heaths, and forest edges. The male is easily identified by his brilliant yellow head and underparts. Both sexes have a streaky brown back and a reddish-brown rump. It is a resident species across much of Europe. In winter, they move into larger flocks to search for seeds in farmyards.

The Yellowhammer is a persistent summer singer, often perched at the top of hedges or small trees. Its rhythmic song of short notes typically ends in a distinctive drawn-out final note. While they feed on seeds on the ground, they switch to insects when raising chicks.