Breeding males are unmistakeable with a bright yellow head and underparts, brown back streaked with black, and chestnut rump. Females have very little yellow overall and are more heavily streaked on the flanks. In winter both sexes appear similar. In flight it shows white outer tail feathers. Often seen perched on top of a hedge or bush, singing the familiar, if somewhat monotonous, song described as "a little bit of bread and no cheese".

Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland Local Nature Recovery Strategy - Indicator Species

Look in open countryside with bushes and hedgerows.

All year round

Its natural diet consists of insects when feeding young, and otherwise seeds. The nest is usually on or near the ground.

Fairly common and widespread in Britain, although its recent population decline make it a Red List species.

A fairly common breeding bird in Leicestershire and Rutland.