Key information
A 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 has an undulating flight, usually twittering as it flies and may be seen in large flocks during the winter.
Linnet numbers have dropped substantially over the past few decades, with the UK population estimated to have declined by 57 per cent between 1970 and 2014. The latest Breeding Bird Survey results show a decrease in all countries.
What they eat:
Seeds and insects.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 13.5cm
- Wingspan:
- 21-25.5cm
- Weight:
- 15-22g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 430,000 territories
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Linnet (male)
Linnet (female)
