Species Profile

Linnet

Linaria cannabina

Linnet

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

2–3 years

Length

13–14 cm

Weight

15–20 g

Wingspan

21–25 cm

Migration

Partial migrant

A cheerful songster with a rosy breast, this small finch brightens fields and gardens across Europe and beyond.

Also known as: Common Linnet, Eurasian Linnet

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Gallery

Appearance

The Linnet is a small finch with a slender build and forked tail. Males in breeding plumage display a striking crimson forehead and breast, contrasting with their grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts. The wings feature a distinctive white edge.

Females and non-breeding males lack red colouration and instead show heavily streaked brown plumage on their backs and flanks. Both sexes have grey bills and pinkish-brown legs.

Juvenile birds are similar to adult females but more streaked and with an overall duller appearance.

Identification & Characteristics

Male Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: Red
Beak: Grey
Legs: Brown

Female Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: White
Beak: Grey
Legs: Brown

Female Markings

Streaked breast and flanks, lacks red on forehead and chest

Attributes

Agility75/100

Strength30/100

Adaptability70/100

Aggression25/100

Endurance60/100

Understanding Attributes

Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Habitat & Distribution

Linnets inhabit open countryside, preferring areas with low vegetation and scattered bushes or trees. They are found across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, with some populations extending into Central Asia.

In the UK, Linnets are widespread breeding birds found in coastal areas, heathlands, and farmland edges. During winter, some UK birds migrate south, while others arrive from northern Europe to overwinter.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.

United Kingdom

Wales

England

Northern Ireland

Scotland

Cambridgeshire

Rutland

Bedfordshire

Buckinghamshire

Berkshire

Bristol

Cheshire

Cornwall

Cumbria

Derbyshire

Devon

Dorset

Durham

East Riding of Yorkshire

Essex

East Sussex

Gloucestershire

Hampshire

Herefordshire

Hertfordshire

Isle of Wight

Lincolnshire

Kent

Merseyside

Lancashire

Leicestershire

London

Manchester

Northumberland

Norfolk

Northamptonshire

Nottinghamshire

North Yorkshire

Oxfordshire

South Yorkshire

Tyne and Wear

West Midlands

Suffolk

Shropshire

Somerset

Surrey

Staffordshire

Stockton-on-Tees

Warwickshire

Wiltshire

West Yorkshire

Worcestershire

West Sussex

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Diet

Linnets are primarily seed-eaters, favouring small seeds from plants such as dandelions, thistles, and chickweed. They also consume buds and shoots in spring.

Their specialised bill is adapted for efficiently husking seeds, allowing them to exploit a wide range of plant species throughout the year.

Behaviour

Linnets are social birds, often seen in flocks outside the breeding season. They have a bouncy, undulating flight pattern and frequently perch on exposed branches or wires.

During foraging, they hop and shuffle along the ground, efficiently picking seeds from low-growing plants.

Calls & Sounds

The Linnet's song is a pleasant, rapid warbling with trilling notes, often delivered in flight or from a high perch. Their call is a distinctive, bouncing 'twittwitt' or 'tit-it-it'. During the breeding season, males sing more frequently, producing a more elaborate and melodious tune.

Rapid trilling calls can be heard in flight or near the nest site during breeding, which have a distinctive ‘tetter-tett’ sound.

Nesting & Breeding

Breeding season for Linnets typically begins in April and can last until August. Males perform display flights and sing to attract mates, often from prominent perches.

Nests are built low in dense bushes or hedgerows, usually by the female. The nest is a neat cup made of grass, moss, and roots, lined with hair and feathers. Females lay 4-6 pale blue eggs with reddish-brown speckles.

Incubation lasts about 12-14 days, carried out solely by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 11-13 days but remain dependent on their parents for another two weeks.

Conservation

While listed as Least Concern globally, Linnet populations have declined in parts of Europe, including the UK. This decline is largely attributed to changes in farming practices reducing seed availability.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining diverse habitats and promoting wildlife-friendly farming techniques.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 54,000,000 - 98,000,000 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Decreasing^[2]

Elevation

Up to 2,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Main predators include sparrowhawks, kestrels, and domestic cats in urban areas.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Linnets in open countryside with scattered bushes and hedgerows
Listen for their distinctive twittering calls and melodious song
Observe flocking behaviour in autumn and winter
In the UK, visit coastal areas and farmland edges for better chances of spotting

Did You Know?

The Linnet's scientific name, 'cannabina', refers to its fondness for hemp seeds.
In Victorian Britain, Linnets were popular cage birds due to their melodious song.
Male Linnets can lose their red plumage if their diet lacks certain pigments.