Species Profile

Twite

Linaria flavirostris

Twite

Quick Facts

Conservation

LCLeast Concern

Lifespan

3–5 years^[4]

Length

13–14 cm

Weight

15–20 g

Wingspan

21–23 cm

Migration

Partial migrant

A small, streaky finch that brightens up coastal grasslands and moorlands with its cheerful chirps and acrobatic feeding habits.

Also known as: Mountain Linnet

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Appearance

The Twite is a small, slender finch with a streaked brown body and buff-edged wing feathers. Its most distinctive features are a yellow bill and a forked tail. Males display a pink rump, especially prominent during the breeding season. Their bills turn grey during the summer.

Females closely resemble males but lack the pink rump, and the white markings on the wing are less defined. Juveniles have a darker, more heavily streaked appearance and a greyish bill that gradually turns yellow as they mature.

Identification & Characteristics

Male Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: White
Beak: Yellow
Legs: Black

Female Colors

Primary: Brown
Secondary: White
Beak: Yellow
Legs: Black

Female Markings

Lacks pink rump of males

Attributes

Agility75/100

Strength30/100

Adaptability70/100

Aggression25/100

Endurance65/100

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

Twites inhabit open, treeless areas, including coastal cliffs, upland moors, and mountain slopes. They are found across northern Europe and Asia, with significant populations in Scotland and northern England.

In winter, many birds move to lowland coastal areas. In the UK, they are year-round residents in Scotland but only winter visitors in southern England.

Distribution

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Where to See This Bird

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

Northumberland

Non-breedingJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec

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Diet

Twites primarily feed on small seeds from various plants, including meadow grasses, dandelions, and sorrels. In coastal areas, they often forage for seeds of saltmarsh plants. Some invertebrates may also be eaten, including larvae, flies and beetles.

During the breeding season, they supplement their diet with insects to feed their young.

Behaviour

Twites are gregarious birds, often seen in small flocks outside the breeding season. They have a characteristic bouncy flight pattern and frequently perch on fence posts or rocky outcrops.

During foraging, they move quickly on the ground, picking seeds with their specialised bills.

Calls & Sounds

The Twite's call is a distinctive, nasal 'twite' or 'twy-eet', from which it gets its name. Their song is a rapid, twittering series of notes, often delivered in flight.

During the breeding season, males sing more frequently, especially when performing courtship displays.

Nesting & Breeding

Twites form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which typically starts in May. Males perform aerial displays and sing to attract mates.

Nests are built low in heather or gorse bushes, constructed mainly by the female using grasses, moss, and roots. The female lays 4-6 pale blue to dark blue eggs with reddish-brown spots.

Incubation lasts about 13 days, solely done by the female. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge after 11-13 days but remain dependent on adults for several more weeks.

Conservation

While globally listed as Least Concern, Twite populations have declined significantly in parts of their range, particularly in the UK.

Conservation efforts focus on maintaining suitable breeding habitats and providing winter feeding areas. Sustainable farming practices play a crucial role in their conservation.

LCLeast Concern

^[1]

Population

Estimated: 3,280,000 - 15,100,000 mature individuals^[3]

Trend: Decreasing^[2]

Elevation

Sea level to 2,000 meters

Additional Details

Predators:: Main predators include birds of prey such as Merlins and Sparrowhawks, as well as domestic cats in some areas.

Birdwatching Tips

Look for Twites in coastal areas and upland regions of the UK
Listen for their distinctive nasal 'twite' call
Observe their bouncy flight pattern and tendency to flock
Check for yellow bills and, in males, pink rumps during breeding season

Did You Know?

Twites are one of the few finch species that do not feed on tree seeds.
Their scientific name 'flavirostris' means 'yellow-billed' in Latin.
Twites can form mixed flocks with Linnets and Redpolls in winter.
Twite numbers have dropped dramatically in northern England since 1990, with only a handful of pairs remaining.