Ive seen a yellow bird in my garden what could it be?
Ever seen a flash of bright yellow in your garden and wondered what bird that was? Check out our list of the most common UK yellow birds. From the cheerful flutter of a Yellowhammer to the striking feathers of a Siskin, these vibrant visitors bring a burst of colour and energy to gardens across the country. In this guide, we’ll help you identify these stunning species and share tips on how to attract them to your garden with the right food and feeders. Let’s brighten up your birdwatching!
Great tit
The Great Tit is the largest of the UK tit family, measuring around 14cm in length. It’s easily recognised by its bold black head, striking white cheeks, and vibrant yellow belly, which is marked by a distinctive black stripe running down the centre. This colourful garden bird is a frequent visitor to gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows across the UK. Great Tits are known for their inquisitive nature and can be quite territorial, often displaying dominance at bird feeders. To attract Great Tits to your garden, provide high-quality bird food such as sunflower hearts, suet pellets, and peanuts. Installing sturdy bird feeders can also help encourage these striking birds to become regular visitors, adding both colour and lively activity to your outdoor space.
Blue tit
The Blue Tit is a small yet vibrant bird, measuring around 12cm in length. Its striking appearance features a bright blue cap and wings, a soft green back, and a vibrant yellow belly adorned with a faint black line. Commonly found in gardens, woodlands, and parks throughout the UK, Blue Tits are energetic and curious by nature. They are frequent visitors to bird feeders, delighting birdwatchers with their acrobatic antics as they flit between branches and feeders. To attract Blue Tits to your garden, offer a variety of high-energy bird foods such as suet blocks, mealworms, and sunflower seeds. Providing nesting boxes can also encourage these colourful garden birds to make your outdoor space their home, bringing year-round charm and activity.
Yellow Hammer
The Yellowhammer is a striking bird, measuring around 16cm in length—similar in size to a sparrow. Males are especially eye-catching with their bright yellow head and chest, contrasted by brown, streaked wings and back. Females are slightly duller in appearance but still display warm yellow tones that make them easy to spot. Yellowhammers are typically found in open countryside, hedgerows, and farmland across the UK, where they thrive in wide, open spaces. Their distinctive "a little bit of bread and no cheese" song is a familiar sound in rural areas. To encourage Yellowhammers to visit your garden, especially if you live near farmland or open fields, scatter mixed seeds and grains on ground feeders or open feeding trays. Creating a bird-friendly habitat with hedgerows and natural cover can also help attract these beautiful countryside birds.
Siskin
The Siskin is a small and lively finch, easily recognised by its bright yellow-green plumage, black cap, and finely streaked sides. Males tend to be more vibrant in colour, while females are slightly duller but still display attractive markings. Siskins are commonly found in coniferous forests but will also venture into gardens, especially during the winter months when natural food sources are scarce. These energetic and acrobatic birds are known for their impressive agility, often hanging upside down on feeders as they search for food. To attract Siskins to your garden, provide nutritious seeds such as nyjer seeds, sunflower hearts, and mixed finch blends. Hanging feeders near trees or shrubs can also encourage these charming finches to become regular visitors, adding a splash of colour and activity to your outdoor space.
Goldcrest
The Goldcrest is the UK’s smallest bird, yet it stands out with its distinctive yellow-green back and striking orange or yellow crown stripe, bordered by black. A delicate white ring around its eyes adds to its charming appearance. Typically found in woodlands and coniferous forests, Goldcrests have increasingly been spotted in gardens, especially during colder months when they search for food. These lively and energetic birds are constantly on the move, flitting through trees and shrubs in search of insects and spiders. To attract Goldcrests to your garden, plant dense shrubs or evergreen trees for shelter and offer suet products, mealworms, and finely crushed peanuts to provide a rich energy source. Creating a wildlife-friendly garden with plenty of natural cover can help entice these tiny, captivating birds to visit.
Cirl Bunting
The Cirl Bunting is a charming and distinctive bird, primarily found in the farmlands and coastal areas of southern England. Male Cirl Buntings are easily identified by their bright yellow underface, contrasted with bold black markings and olive-brown upperparts. Females are more subdued in colour, featuring softer yellowish tones and streaked brown plumage, offering excellent camouflage in their natural habitat. These birds thrive in mixed farmland landscapes with hedgerows, scrub, and grassland, where they forage for seeds and insects. To support and attract Cirl Buntings, especially in rural or coastal gardens, provide seed-rich grasses and scatter mixed grains on the ground. Maintaining hedgerows and wildflower areas can also create a more inviting environment for this rare and beautiful farmland bird.
We hope this guide helps you identify any bright yellow visitors to your garden! Have you spotted a rare bird recently? We’d love to hear about your sightings and see your wonderful photos. Feel free to share them with us by emailing info@brinvale.com. Your garden discoveries could inspire others to start feeding and watching the beautiful birds that visit our UK gardens!