Uncommon to fairly common but local in warmer regions. Favors sunny heathland, woodland edge, farmland with hedges. Male sings from prominent perch atop bush, on phone wires, etc. Male distinctive, with striking head and breast pattern, especially blackish throat. Female drab and streaky, told from Yellowhammer by finer dark streaking, more boldly striped head, and grayish rump (not bright rusty). White outer tail feathers often show in flight.