What feature makes the Yellowhammer's rump visibly pale or yellowish in flight when body color is muted?
Answer
The rump feathers
Field identification of the Yellowhammer can sometimes be challenging in low light or when the bird's primary yellow plumage is obscured due to poor weather or non-breeding feather wear. However, observing the bird in flight can reveal a key identifying feature. Even when the overall body color seems muted, the rump area remains visibly pale or distinctly yellowish. This effect is attributed specifically to the coloration of the rump feathers themselves, offering a reliable visual cue about the bird's identity when other more obvious color signals are ambiguous or hidden.
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