Eurasian Linnet
Linaria cannabina
Small finch of open country, from wild moorland to rough grassland and weedy patches in urban areas. Like other finches, often forms flocks in autumn and winter; does not usually visit garden feeders. Generally looks small and rather dull, unless male is seen well, when reddish breast, gray head, and rusty-brown back are a distinctive combination. Drab female best identified by face pattern: broad pale crescents above and below eyes, and pale cheek patch. Listen for musical twittering song and dry tittering calls, often given in flight.
Identification
The common linnet is a slim bird with a long tail. The upper parts are brown, the throat is sullied white and the bill is grey. The summer male has a grey nape, red head-patch and red breast. Females and young birds lack the red and have white underparts, the breast streaked buff.
Taxonomy
In 1758, the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus included the common linnet in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae under the binomial name, Acanthis cannabina. The species was formerly placed in the genus Carduelis but based on the results of a phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences published in 2012, it was moved to the genus Linaria that had been introduced by the German naturalist Johann Matthäus Bechstein in 1802.<p>The genus name linaria is the Latin for a linen-weaver, from linum, "flax". The species name cannabina comes from the Latin for hemp. The English name has a similar root, being derived from Old French linette, from lin, "flax".<p>There are seven recognised subspecies:
- Scientific name
- Linaria cannabina
- Authority
- (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Linaria
Range and habitat
The common linnet breeds in Europe, the western Palearctic and North Africa. It is partially resident, but many eastern and northern birds migrate farther south in the breeding range or move to the coasts. They are sometimes found several hundred miles off-shore. It has been introduced to the Dominican Republic.
- Breeding range
- PAL : temperate to subtropical w, c Palearctic in open lowland woodland, fields (alpine meadows in s): British Is., s Scandinavia e to Altay region (sc Russia), n Xinjiang (nw China) and far w Mongolia, in s to Madeira and Canary Is. (Macaronesia, w of n Africa), Morocco to n Libya, throughout Mediterranean to Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, w Jordan and w Syria, through Caucasus, n, s Iran, n Afghanistan through e Kazakhstan
- Non-breeding range
- short-distance movements
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Open land with thick bushes is favoured for breeding, including heathland and garden. It builds its nest in a bush, laying four to seven eggs.<p>This species can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches, such as twite, on coasts and salt marshes.<p>The common linnet's pleasant song contains fast trills and twitters.<p>It feeds on the ground, and low down in bushes, its food mainly consisting of seeds, which it also feeds to its chicks. It likes small to medium-sized seeds from most arable weeds, knotgrass, dock), crucifers (including charlock, shepherd's purse), chickweeds, dandelions, thistle, sow-thistle, mayweed, common groundsel, common hawthorn and birch. They have a small component of Invertebrates in their diet.
Conservation
The common linnet is listed by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a priority species. It is protected in the UK by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.<p>In Britain, populations are declining, attributed to increasing use of herbicides, aggressive scrub removal and excessive hedge trimming; its population fell by 56% between 1968 and 1991, probably due to a decrease in seed supply and the increasing use of herbicide. From 1980 to 2009, according to the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme, the European population decreased by 62%<p>Favourable management practices on agricultural land include:
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Long-tailed Glossy Starling
Lamprotornis caudatus
A large, extremely long-tailed, dark and glossy starling. Sometimes looks black, but in good light shows iridescence that is mostly blue-green, with a purple belly and tail. Found in a wide variety of savanna habitats as well as in cultivated areas. Often on the ground, typically in small flocks. Similar to Rüppell's Starling, but longer-tailed and more blue-green overall. The loud and complex vocalizations include a mix of rattles, scratches, and piercing whistles.
Tree Swallow
Tachycineta bicolor
Common and widespread throughout most of North America, breeding as far north as Alaska and wintering to Panama. A medium-sized swallow, with gleaming white underparts. Adult males are bright iridescent blue-green above; females and immatures are duller brownish with limited or no iridescence. Always note compact shape, fairly broad wings, and slightly notched tail. Occurs in a variety of open habitats including grassy fields, lakes, and marshes. Often in flocks, sometimes mixed with other species of swallows. Breeds in cavities, including human-made nest boxes. Listen for cheery gurgling calls. Compare especially with Violet-green Swallow; note Tree Swallow does not show extensive white wrapping around the cheek or the sides of the rump.
Ancient Antwren
Herpsilochmus gentryi
This antwren is known only from a small area in northeastern Peru and adjacent border areas of Ecuador. It is confined to rainforest that grows in nutrient-poor soils with a specific mineral composition. Note the yellowish underparts, black crown and black eye-stripe separated by a pale eyebrow, and bold white wingbars and tail edges. Similar to Dugand’s Antwren, but male has yellowish underparts and female has a black (not brown) crown. Stays quite high in the trees and often joins mixed-species flocks. Song is decelerating series of notes that rises and then falls.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.