There are plenty of Hurukōwhai | Yellowhammers to be seen around Waikawa Beach. The bright yellow head is a real giveaway.
Length: 16 - 16.5 cm; Weight: 18 - 30 g
Similar species: Cirl bunting, Yellowhead, New Zealand pipit, Eurasian skylark, Chaffinch
A small relatively long-tailed songbird with a grey-black bill and pinkish legs in which the male has a mostly bright yellow head and underparts, and a dark-streaked brown mantle, and the browner female has more streaking on the head and upper surface with some yellow on the underparts. Both sexes have a rich chestnut rump and white outer tail feathers, which show during flight.
