Yellowhammer

    Emberiza citrinella

Castilian: Escribano cerillo

Catalan: Verderola

Gallego: Escribenta amarela

Euskera: Berdantza horia

CLASIFICACIÓN:

Orden: Passeriformes

Family: Emberizidae

Migratory status: Permanent resident

CONSERVATION STATUS:

On the National List of Threatened Species, it appears in the “Of Special Interest” category. In the 2004 edition of the Red Book of Spanish Birds (Libro Rojo de las Aves de España) it is listed as “Not Evaluated”.

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THREATS

There have been no specific studies regarding possible threats, but it is possible that it is affected by agricultural intensification.

Length / size: 16-16,5 cm / 23-29,5 cm

Identification: Large bunting with a long tail whose plumage is dominated by shades of brown, yellow and greyish-brown. The male is characterised by his red breast, his intense yellow belly and head, his facial disc consisting of three poorly-defined bands, and his reddish-brown rump; the female's colours are paler and her belly is speckled.

Song: Discordant "stoof" call. Its song is fast sounds that end in a different sound: "see see see see seeooooo".

Diet: It primarily feeds on seeds from poaceae plants, and in spring on small invertebrates.

Reproduction: The breeding period begins in May. The females positions the nest in the lower parts of bushes and uses dry roots and other plant matter in its construction. She also incubates the eggs, while both parents provide food for the chicks.

HABITAT

It occupies open areas affected by the Atlantic, with a mix of scrubland and meadows.

DISTRIBUTION

In Spain: During breeding season it is found in the northern part of the peninsula at an elevation above 800 metres. During winter it remains in the northern third of the peninsula, but descends to lower altitudes.

In Castile and León: It is distributed in the northern part of the community, with Zamora as its boundary to the south. The highest densities are located in Burgos, León and Palencia.

Movements and migrations: It is considered a resident species in the peninsula, but it partially migrates during unfavourable periods. European specimens also incorporate themselves.

POPULATION

In Spain: There is an estimated population of less than 150000 breeding pairs.

In Castile and León: