A charming relative of the yellowhammer that is at the limit of its European range in the UK.
Key ID Features:
Slightly smaller and shorter tailed than Yellowhammer but with a proportionately larger bill.
Distinguished from Yellowhammer by the olive nape and cap and striped head, the male especially having a black eye-stripe and chin patch in summer.
The Yellowhammers russet rump is absent and replaced with an olive grey which is repeated on the males upper chest over russet sides to the underparts.
Overview
Scientific name: Emberiza cirlus
Family: Buntings (Emberizidae)
Where to see them:
Confined to south-west England. Best looked for in fields and hedges of south Devon, near to the coast.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Seeds and insects.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
