The yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) is a passerine bird in the bunting family that is native to Eurasia and introduced to New Zealand. It was originally called yellow bunting. However, the word Ammer is German for bunting - hence, Yellow(h)ammer. Males are unmistakeable with a bright yellow head and underparts. Sparrow-sized, the yellowhammer has a bright yellow head and breast, red-brown rump, and a heavily streaked brown back. Its streaked breast may have a red-brown band. The wings are brown and in its undulating flight the tips of the outer tail feathers show white. It has a grey bill, light brown legs and feet. It breeds in arable fields and grasslands, also found in hedges, heaths, banks and commons. In the winter it feeds in fields with fodder crops and joins mixed flocks of buntings and finches. Local names such as "scribbler" and "writing lark" refer to the eggs, which are usually covered in dark squiggly lines resembling handwriting.
