The linnet (Linaria cannabina) is a European finch known for its pleasant, melodic song. These agile birds are found in open, bushy environments. Their diet primarily consists of small seeds, and they are often observed in flocks, especially outside of the breeding season.
Identifying a Linnet
Linnets are slender birds, typically 12.5 to 14 centimeters long with a 20 to 25 centimeter wingspan, weighing 15 to 20 grams. The plumage varies distinctly between sexes and seasons. During the breeding season, the male linnet displays a striking crimson patch on its forehead and breast, contrasting with its grey nape and brown upperparts. Conversely, the female linnet lacks these vibrant red markings, instead exhibiting a more subdued streaked brown plumage across her back and flanks, with white underparts. Both sexes share a grey bill and pinkish-brown legs, along with white edges on their wings. Juvenile linnets resemble adult females but appear duller and are more heavily streaked overall.
Where Linnets Live
The common linnet is widely distributed across Europe, extending into western Asia and North Africa. While some populations remain resident year-round, many eastern and northern birds undertake migratory journeys, moving southward or to coastal areas for the winter. They are often found in open countryside, favoring environments with low vegetation and scattered bushes. Preferred habitats include heathlands, scrubland, farmland, coastal dunes, and open areas with hedges. In the United Kingdom, they are widespread, inhabiting coastal regions, heathlands, and farmland edges.
Linnet Life
Linnets primarily eat small seeds from various plants such as dandelions, thistles, and chickweed. They also consume buds and shoots, and occasionally insects, especially when feeding their young. Their specialized bill is adapted for efficiently husking seeds, allowing them to utilize a wide range of plant species.
These birds are social, forming large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixing with other finch species. Linnets breed between mid-April and early August, producing two to three broods per season. Nests are cup-shaped, built low in dense bushes or hedgerows, and usually contain four to six pale blue eggs with reddish-brown speckles.
Conservation of Linnets
The linnet is currently listed as a species of “Least Concern” by the IUCN. Despite this global status, populations in some regions, such as the UK, have experienced significant declines. Between 1970 and 2014, the UK linnet population is estimated to have fallen by 57%. This decline is often linked to changes in agricultural practices. Threats to linnet populations include habitat loss due to agricultural intensification, which leads to the destruction of hedgerows and the eradication of fallow, weedy fields through herbicide applications. Conservation efforts focus on promoting bird-friendly farming practices, such as leaving overwinter stubbles, establishing uncultivated margins, and maintaining thorny hedgerows for nesting.