Known for its distinctive “a little bit of bread and no cheeeeeese” call, the yellowhammer is a colourful, sparrow-sized bunting that can often be spotted singing from a high perch. It has a few local names such as ‘scribbly-jack, ‘scribbling schoolmaster’, or ‘writing lark’ due to the squiggly lines on its eggs that look a little like handwriting. It is threatened by habitat destruction and in the UK its population is declining, although it is not thought to be globally threatened.
Breeding pairs: 710,000
Family: Old World Buntings
In fresh plumage, the adult male yellowhammer has warm brown upperparts with black streaks, a rust-coloured rump, and uppertail coverts with fewer streaks. The upperwing has yellow-edged primaries, while the tail has some white on the outer feathers. The underparts are yellow with dark streaks on the breast and rear flanks, and a rusty-olive breast band and rust tones on the sides of the breast and upper flanks.
The head is bright yellow with dark stripes bordering the crown. The cheeks are brown with darker edges on the ear coverts and malar area, while the chin and throat are pale yellow. The bill is blue-grey, the eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet are brown.
In worn plumage, the upperparts are brighter, and the breast takes on more rust tones. The head appears yellower, with the dark markings reduced to narrow streaks above the supercilium. A dark green eye stripe curves from behind the ear coverts down to the lower rear corner of the cheeks.
The female, in fresh plumage, resembles the male but is duller and paler overall, with a more pronounced head pattern with additional olive and brown tones. As her plumage wears, the upperparts become duller, and the underparts fade to a paler yellow with increased streaking on the breast and flanks. The head loses some of its yellow, showing more streaks on the crown and dull green on the sides.
Juveniles resemble adult females but are duller, with heavier streaking on the underparts and broader dark streaks across the mantle and scapulars. The head has a faint and indistinct supercilium.
Try our interactive bird identifier
Yellowhammers begin breeding in April and can produce broods until as late as September. They are monogamous and typically have two or three broods per season. They nest in sand dunes, coastal areas, cliffs, and rocky terrains, usually hidden in grass or at the base of a bush or small tree. The female builds the nest, which is a cup-shaped structure made from leaves, dry grass, and stalks, lined with moss and hair.
Yellowhammers lay 2-6 eggs, which can be light olive, tan, pale blue, or pinkish, marked with fine granules and darker speckles. The female incubates the eggs alone for 12-14 days, while the male provides food for her at the nest. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge 11-13 days after hatching. They reach sexual maturity at one year.
Yellowhammers forage on the ground, primarily eating seeds, cereals, and grains. When not breeding, they can be found in large flocks, often mingling with other buntings and finches. During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with invertebrates, including grasshoppers, worms, caterpillars, spiders, and snails.
Yellowhammers are found across the UK but are least abundant in the north and west and completely absent from some upland areas.
Look out for them in open countryside near bushes and hedgerows. They will also venture into gardens particularly during winter.
Hammer is a corruption of the German word ammer, meaning bunting.
One Response
These have been in my garden every year for the last 10-12years. Breeding pairs with young. Very cheeky and inquisitive. Are they still red listed? I am in Northern Ireland for location purposes.