Still, they remain on the conservation Red List with just 1,000 or so estimated breeding pairs. The UK’s Cirl bunting population was dangerously close to being lost completely, but conservation efforts have helped numbers pick up. These small and charming birds were once common across England but are now confined to a relatively small area between Plymouth and Exeter in South Devon. The Cirl bunting is related to the Yellowhammer of the same family. Like other wagtails, Yellow wagtails have long tails that tend to wag back and forth while they forage across the ground. The breast and underside is a lemon yellow. Thanks to their yellow-brown back, they’re more yellow than the Grey wagtail. The Yellow wagtail measures 17cm long with a wingspan of around 23 to 27cm. There are around 15,000 breeding pairs - less than half that of the Grey wagtail. However, due to habitat loss and declining numbers, they’re currently on the conservation Red List. Yellow wagtails prefer the open countryside, especially agricultural land with grazing cattle. This reasonably rare bird is only present in eastern England, eastern Wales and southern Scotland. In the winter, Yellow wagtails migrate across Western and Central Europe towards the Mediterranean and Africa, and you’re most likely to see one between April to October. The Yellow wagtail is less common than the Grey wagtail, and only visits the UK in the summer. They have long tails which wag when the bird forages on the ground. The Grey wagtail is similar to the Yellow wagtail but has a slimmer shape and a distinctive ash-grey back. The male and female as similar, though the male has more defined wing tips and facial markings. The Grey wagtail measures 18 to 19cm with a wingspan of 25 to 27cm. You’re most likely to spot one near rivers in hilly regions of Wales, England and Scotland. Some populations in Scotland migrate during the winter, however. They’re generally migratory, but most of the UK’s populations are year-round residents. Wagtails earned their name by seemingly wagging their tail as they forage for insects on the ground. The current population is around 38,000 pairs, and the bird is on the Amber List. The misleadingly named Grey wagtail is probably more yellow than grey! A member of the pipit and wagtail family, this slim bird of the open countryside was once much more abundant up and down the UK. They’re certainly colourful and bold and are easy to spot once you’ve positively identified them a few times. The male and female look very similar, though the female is marginally duller.Ī bright and bold bird, the Great tit has a dark head with a white cheek patch, a stripe intercepting its yellow chest, a yellow back, and blue-grey wings. Great tits measure 14cm long with a wingspan of 24cm and weight around 18g. The global Great tit population is concentrated in Central, Northern and Western Europe. They’re common throughout almost the entirety of the UK and Ireland, except for the Scottish Uplands and Scottish Islands. The Great tit is common and currently unthreatened, with over 2.5 million breeding pairs distributed throughout the UK. However, great tits are quite aggressive compared to similarly sized birds and are often seen chasing other birds from the bird table! A sociable and brave bird, the Great tit often appears in gardens and public spaces, including in inner city areas. The Great tit - as the name suggests - is a large tit - the largest in the UK! This colourful bird counts as “yellow” thanks to its bright yellow breast and upper back. Yellowhammers are yellow on their head, chest and underside, with browner wings. Both males and females are similar, but males have brighter yellow plumage and greater contrast in their colouration. Yellowhammers measure 16 to 16.5cm long with a wingspan of 23 to 29.5cm. AppearanceĪ medium-small bird, though relatively large for a bunting. There are approximately 700,000 breeding pairs. They can be found in much of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland but are largely absent from upland areas. For example, the Northern Irish Yellowhammer population has decreased by 65% since 1991. While common in the UK, Yellowhammers are a Red List bird due to recent population decline. Yellowhammers often perch on hedgerows and small trees and have a melodic song that is especially prominent in the breeding season. Yellowhammers are widespread throughout their Eurasian range, spreading from the UK and Ireland to central Russia, Mongolia and the Middle East. Their bright yellow heads and streaky yellow body makes them pretty easy to spot. The Yellowhammer is a strikingly yellow bird from the bunting family, which contains 45 other species.
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