Loud and Proud

This little Yellowhammer has been a regular sight on my walks over the past 3-4 years.
If you look carefully, you can see that he has no feathers on the back of his head at all.
However, despite his odd appearance - especially from the side as he looks as if the back of his head is missing - every year, he puts on his best courtship plumage and sings loudly and proudly from fences and treetops.
I often give him an appreciative nod as I pass to acknowledge his determination to get on with things despite being so very obviously different from the other birds.
To me, he's just lovely, and a perfect example of the value of being the best you can be.