Twite (Linaria flavirostris)

OTHER NAMES: Mountain Linnet
Latin Etymology: Linaria ("linen weaver") flavirostris ("yellow billed")  

Three Twite (possibly subspecies L. f. pipilans) at Onager Hill, Norfolk - March 2023

Featured Subspecies: possibly Linaria flavirostris pipilans
Weight: 13-18g  /  Length: 13-1cm  /  Wingspan: 22-24cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A small finch of cold uplands, the twite is arguably the drabbest of the native finches of the UK, with only the often obscured pink rump of the breeding males as colouration on its otherwise brown plumage. Their global range is separated into two broad areas a highly migratory population in Northern Europe and resident birds of Central Asia and the Caucasus. The UK breeding population is in major decline, though it is supplemented by migratory continental birds in Winter. Their distinctive yellow bill is only present in Winter.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Linaria
SUBSPECIES: L. f. bensonorum, L. f. pipilans, L. f. flavirostris, L. f. brevirostris, L. f. kirghizorum, L. f. korejevi, L. f. altaica, L. f. montanella, L. f. pamirensis, L. f. miiakensis, L. f. rufostrigata

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce breeder in Northern uplands (7850 pairs), Winters in saltmarshes (100,000 birds)
 - A flock at Onager Hill in March 2023,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Linnet (Linaria cannabina)

OTHER NAMES: Linnet
Latin Etymology: Linaria ("linen weaver") cannabina ("made of hemp")

Adult Eurasian Linnet (subspecies C. c. cannabina) - male at St. Bee's Head - April 2011 / female at Trevose Head - June 2010

Featured Subspecies: Carduelis cannabina cannabina 

Weight: 15-26g / Length: 13.5cm / Wingspan: 21-25cm

UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Linnets are a slightly odd species in terms of distribution - they are certainly widely distributed, but the density seems to vary wildly, even from year to year. They are found in Geddington but are quite unusual, whereas at Rainham and Trevose Head they seem one of the most numerous birds. Photographing them of course depends on how brave the local population is.

Related Species:

Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Genus: Linaria
Subspecies: C. c. autochthona, C. c. nana, C. c. meadewaldoi, C. c. harterti, C. c. mediterranea, C. c. cannabina, C. c. bella

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common resident (430.000 pairs) 

 - A fairly local bird seen at sites including Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Elmley Marshes, St. Bee's Head and Geddington.     

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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