The Yellow Hammer is found across the UK all year round, but less commonly seen in the North and West. They are absent from some upland areas, such as the Pennines, Inner Hebrides, Orkneys and the Scottish Highlands.

Identification

Male: A small, graceful bird with yellow and green colouring and a medium-length tail which it distinctively wags. It has a bright yellow head and breast and rust-brown tinged wings.
Female: Similar to the male, but with generally darker head markings and more subdued yellow colouring.
Size: 16–17cm.
Bill: Grey, short and stubby.
Legs: Buff in colour, medium length.
Habitat: Heaths, fields, hedges and gardens.
Behaviour: Hops, perches openly, takes off/lands on vegetation/ground.
Flocking: 1–50.
Flight: Direct.
Voice: Familiar, “little-bit-of-bread-and-no-cheese” sound.

Breeding

Nest: Low bush.
Eggs: 3–5. White/purple in colour, blotchy appearance.
Incubation period: 11–14 days.
Fledgeling: 16 days.
Broods: 2–5. April–June.
Food: Seeds, insects and berries.
UK breeding pairs: 1.2 million.