Yellowhammer

Yellowhammer
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Emberizidae Genus: Emberiza Species: citrinella
Binomial name
Emberiza citrinella

The Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella, is a passerine bird in the bunting family Emberizidae, a group now separated by most modern authors from the finches, Fringillidae.

It breeds across Europe and much of Asia. Most birds are resident, but some far northern birds migrate south in winter. It is common in all sorts of open areas with some scrub or trees.

The Yellowhammer is a robust bird, with a thick seed-eater's bill. The male has a bright yellow head, yellow underparts, and a heavily streaked brown back. The female is much duller, and more streaked below.

The familiar, if somewhat monotonous, song of the cock is A little bit of bread and no cheese.

Its natural food consists of insects when feeding young, and otherwise seeds. The nest is on the ground. 3-6 eggs are laid, which show the hair-like markings characteristic of those of buntings.