Yellowhammer

The Yellowhammer was introduced to New Zealand in 1862. They are mainly seen in open country, especially farmland, making them unpopular with farmers because they eat newly sown seeds. At the turn of the century county councils bought their eggs by the thousands, and the birds were slaughtered as pests. Now days they are seen in city parks and gardens in winter, thus my viewing of a pair recently in Waihi, NZ. As well as seeds, Yellowhammers eat insects such as caterpillars, beetles, flies and spiders. Between late November and early January three to four eggs are laid in nests of mainly dry grass, usually close to the ground in a clump of thick vegetation or tall grass. The eggs are pinkish white marked all over with fine dark brown scribbling and paler spots, and are incubated mainly by... read more the female. Both parents share the feeding of the young.