Emberiza citrinella - sexing spring

Yellowhammer

SEXING:

Once aged correctly, most birds are reliably sexed during spring. However, more difficult birds are not rare and should be left unsexed. Further help is given in Svensson (1992).

Female, 2cy, April. Some yellow is often visible in the throat, around the eye and in the supercilium. [2KR45453]

Female, 2cy, April, showing a rather long dark shaft streak and limited amount of yellow at the base of the crown feathers (but beware that a few dull young males may approach this pattern). [2KR45453]

Male, 2cy, March. Most young males are easily sexed due to dominantly bright yellow feathers in the head, variably concealed by remnants of darker olive-grey tips. [2KR44240]

Male, 2cy, March, showing extensive and bright yellow bases to crown feathers. [2KR09696]

Female, 3cy+, March. Generally clearly less yellow than males, but a few adult females may approach duller 2cy males. [2KR09678]

Female, 3cy+, March. Typically less extensive (and paler) yellow than in males. [2KR09678]

Male, 3cy+, March. On average cleaner and brighter yellow than 2cy males. [2KR09706]

Male, 3cy+, March. Typical adult male lack the dark shaft streak seen in the other age categories. [2KR09706]

More Emberiza citrinella:
Ageing autumn
Sexing autumn
Ageing spring
Moult

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