Yellow knuckle

The Yellow Bunting is a medium-sized bird belonging to the family Emberizidae, easily recognized by its distinctive plumage. The length of the animal is around 16-18.5 cm, with a weight ranging between 20 and 25 grams.

The adult male has a vivid livery with a bright yellow head, extending from the forehead to the underside of the bill, and a breast that is also bright yellow. The upper parts of the body are olive-brown with dark streaks forming a thin banded pattern. The belly is paler, with yellow hues becoming more intense on the breast. The tail is long and slightly forked, with pale edges. The legs are reddish-brown and the beak is conical, suitable for feeding on seeds.

The female, less conspicuous than the male, has a more muted coloration, with less yellow and more muted shades of brown and gray. Juveniles also have a grayer and less vivid livery than adults.

The yellowhammer is widespread throughout Europe, mainly in country and agricultural areas, where it frequents meadows, cultivated land and hedgerows. It feeds mainly on seeds, especially grasses and herbaceous plants, but it does not disdain insects and small invertebrates, especially during the nesting period. It is a bird that tends to be more visible in winter, when it moves in even large groups, while during the summer season it is more solitary and wanders near nests.

Its song is a simple melodic trill, which it often emits in flight or when perched atop plants or bushes. The yellowhammer is a species that tends to migrate, although it is not uncommon to find it resident in some areas.