Males are unmistakeable with a bright yellow head and underparts, brown back streaked with black, and chestnut rump. In flight it shows white outer tail feathers. Often seen perched on top of a hedge or bush, singing. Its recent population decline make it a Red List species.
Key ID Features:
The bright yellow head with tawny streaks of the male is distinctive.
Summer males also have a russet, heavily streaked back over a plain red brown rump, with a russet tinge to the breast and flanks framing yellow underparts.
The bill is relatively short and narrow and grey in colour.
Females and winter males are paler with greyish-buff appearance and less yellow visible.
Overview
Scientific name: Emberiza citrinella
Family: Buntings (Emberizidae)
Where to see them:
Found across the UK but are least abundant in the north and west, and absent from some upland areas, such as the Pennines and Highlands of Scotland, as well as some lowland areas, such as the Inner Hebrides and the Orkneys. Look in open countryside with bushes and hedgerows.
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
