All about Yellowhammers - Yellowhammer Bird Facts & Information

Yellowhammers with A Bright Yellow Head

Belonging to the buntings, this bright yellow bird is striking to see and is one of the most amazing wild birds that calls the UK home.

The male Yellowhammer has a bright yellow head and underparts with brown streaks across its body and white outer tail feathers and is Sparrow sized. The female Yellowhammers, along with the young, are more dull and subdued in colour. Female buntings - such as yellowhammers and reed buntings, can be quite hard to tell apart.

These small farmland birds (but large bunting) will often be found in open habitats such as woodland edges, where they'll spend their days perching on the bushes singing. The male has a song that is often described as sounding like a 'little bit of bread and no cheese' song.

Yellowhammers are partially migratory bird, with a lot of its population wintering south.

How Rare are Yellowhammers in the UK

In the UK, Yellowhammers are on the birds of conservation concern red list which means they are a priority species in terms of conservation, along with other UK birds.

This striking bird has been struggling since the 1970s, and the population declines are mainly due to changes in agricultural practices destroying their habitat and suitable places to nests.

In the UK, there are just over 700,000 breeding pairs, which is quite a low number.

The Best Place to See Yellowhammers UK

RSPB Reserves

• RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk: This reserve offers diverse habitats, including scrub and heathland, which are ideal for yellowhammers.

• RSPB Northward Hill, Kent: Known for its mixed farmland and hedgerows, Northward Hill is a good spot for observing yellowhammers.

National Trust Sites

• Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire: This nature reserve has open fields and hedgerows that attract yellowhammers.

• Dinefwr Park, Carmarthenshire: The traditional parkland and farmland here provide excellent habitat for yellowhammers.

Nature Reserves and Parks

• Fingringhoe Wick, Essex: Managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust, this site has a variety of habitats where yellowhammers can be spotted.

• Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Gloucestershire: While primarily known for its wetland birds, the surrounding farmland areas are good for yellowhammers.

Countryside Areas

• Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire: The rolling hills and farmland are prime habitats for yellowhammers.

• Cotswolds, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire: This area’s traditional farmland and hedgerows are excellent for yellowhammer sightings.

Farmland and Hedgerows

• Lincolnshire Wolds: This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has extensive farmland and hedgerows where yellowhammers thrive.

• North Norfolk Coast: The mixed farmland and coastal scrub areas are good spots for observing yellowhammers.

Yellowhammer Habitat

Wild Yellowhammers favour open countryside, so they are often spotted in grasslands and farmlands.

On open farmland, these birds head to areas growing cereal grains and other crops as they rely on these grains for food, especially during the winter months. During the winter, they'll hide out in winter stubbles, game cover and livestock farmyards. In recent decades, farming practices has meant that the yellowhammer has less of their natural habitat.

The chosen nesting site of these birds is hedgerows, as they provide a natural protection from predators and adults feed from the rich supply of insects.

In some regions, you'll find this bird on lowland heath habitats.

What Do Yellowhammers Eat

The yellowhammers feed primarily year round on seeds and grains, especially during Autumn and Winter. They'll eat seeds from grasses, cereals and weeds, often foraging on the ground for these.

When breeding season comes around, they shift their diet completely and begin feeding on insects. This high energy diet helps them to survive throughout this season of high demand.

In the winter, along with slightly smaller finches and buntings, they form small flocks to forage for food in.

Yellowhammer Breeding Season

Beginning in April, the breeding season can extend till as late as August. In early spring, the Courtship process begins, the male Yellowhammers will choose a territory (hedges, dense vegetation etc) and they will sing their well known song to attract mates as well as defend the space they've chosen.

Once a pair has formed, the female builds the cup shaped nest near the ground in dense vegetation. She will lay between two and six eggs and the female Yellowhammer will incubate for 12 to 14 days.

Once the eggs are hatched, both of the adult Yellowhammers will feed the chicks insects, this protein will help them grow quickly.

The young Yellowhammer will fledge after 11 to 13 days, but the parents will still feed them until they are fully independent.

Depending on the season, these birds can have two to three broods during the time.

Threats & Predators

Yellowhammers face a range of threats that impact their populations, primarily driven by changes in land use and environmental conditions. Habitat loss due to agricultural intensification—such as the removal of hedgerows, drainage of wetlands, and the conversion of mixed farmland to monocultures—has significantly reduced their nesting and foraging areas. Pesticide use further compounds these issues by diminishing insect populations, which are crucial for feeding chicks during the breeding season. Additionally, the intensification of farming practices and the use of herbicides reduce the availability of seeds and plant cover, affecting their food supply and nesting sites. Climate change poses an emerging threat by altering the availability of resources and disrupting breeding patterns.

In terms of predators, Yellowhammers are vulnerable to a variety of threats. Predatory birds, such as kestrels, and crows, may target adult Yellowhammers or their eggs and chicks. Mammalian predators, including foxes, hedgehogs, and domestic cats, also pose risks to nests, especially those located on or near the ground. Egg parasitism by species like the cuckoo, which lays its eggs in yellowhammer nests, can lead to reduced breeding success by causing the Yellowhammer parents to raise a brood that does not belong to them.

How To Attract Yellowhammers to Gardens

Start by providing a variety of food sources. Offer seed mixes that include favourites like sunflower seeds, millet, and other small grains, either scattered on the ground or in bird feeders designed for small birds. During winter, supplement their diet with high-energy foods such as fat balls or suet cakes to support them through the colder months when natural food sources are limited.

Creating suitable habitat is also crucial. Plant seeds or maintain dense hedgerows around your garden, using native shrubs like hawthorn, blackthorn, or holly, as these provide essential nesting sites and shelter for yellowhammers. Include a variety of plants that produce seeds or attract insects, such as sunflowers, thistles, and dandelions.

Nesting sites are key to attracting yellowhammers. While they typically nest in natural sites, you can enhance their chances by providing nest boxes in sheltered, safe locations.

Finally, create a bird-friendly environment with a clean, fresh water source for drinking and bathing. Include safe perching spots and shelter, such as trees, tall shrubs, or garden structures.

Five Facts About Yellowhammers

1. The male Yellowhammer’s song is often described as sounding like “a little bit of bread and no cheese.” This catchy tune is used to establish territory and attract a mate, and it’s one of the easiest ways to identify them by ear.

2. Males are strikingly bright yellow with a distinctive brown-streaked head and back. This vivid colouration is especially noticeable during the breeding season, making them a colourful addition to any garden or field.

3. In British folklore, the Yellowhammer has been associated with predicting the weather. The bird's song was once believed to be an indicator of whether the weather would be rainy or fine, reflecting its place in local traditions.

4. During the winter months, Yellowhammers often form large flocks with other finch and bunting species. These flocks can be seen foraging together in fields and hedgerows, which helps them find food more efficiently during the colder months.

5. Yellowhammers are skilled at camouflaging their nests. They often build their nests close to the ground in dense vegetation, making them well-hidden from predators. The nest is a neat cup made from grass, stems, and moss, lined with finer materials like feathers and hair.