Which specific plant seeds are listed as key winter staples for ground foraging Yellowhammers, excluding cereal grains?
Answer
Seeds from common nettle, docks, common knotgrass, fat hen, common chickweed, and yarrow
During the winter months, Yellowhammers forage extensively on the ground for seeds that remain available after the harvest or from hardy weeds. Observers have noted specific staples crucial for survival in cold weather. These include the seeds produced by plants such as common nettle, docks, common knotgrass, fat hen, common chickweed, and yarrow. The preference leans towards starchy seeds from these sources, with the birds often ignoring oilier options that might be present, such as those found on brassicas, highlighting a specific nutritional requirement during the non-breeding phase.
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