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Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameCarduelis cannabina FamilyFinches (Fringillidae) OverviewA small, slim finch, widely distributed, and once very popular as a cage bird because of its melodious song. Males are attractively marked with crimson foreheads and breasts, females much browner. It can be flighty and has an undulating flight, usually twittering as it flies. Now it is declining, in common with many other birds which use farmland, and is a Red List species. Where to see themWhile widespread across the UK, there are concentrations along the east coast from Kent to Aberdeenshire but they are scarce in upland regions and north west Scotland. Look for it on commons, heathland, rough ground, farmland hedges, saltmarshes and in parks and gardens. When to see themAll year round. What they eatSeeds and insects. Estimated numbers
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Find out moreAudio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |
 Male  Female Similar birdsHelp the LinnetWe need to take urgent action to secure the future of this species. Become a member today and help us continue our vital conservation work. |
Weedy stubble left as food source for farmland birds - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com, Ref: 2001_2438_009)
Male linnet in bush - Steve Round
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)