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Bird Sightings : Hebrides : Common Linnet

Linnet

(Common Linnet)

Carduelis cannabina

Gaelic: Gealan lin

Photograph © Frank Stark
North Lochs - Isle of Lewis - Outer Hebrides (Western Isles)
22nd April, 2008

"...perched on a super duper nijer seed feeder i bought from the r.s.p.b., specifically to accommodate the Goldfinches that have been visiting my garden. However, the Goldfinches have ignored this top of the range seed, and feeder, preferring instead to eat peanuts from a wire mesh holder."

Our Linnet photographs

Linnet	Linnet

 

• Common Linnet
• Carduelis cannabina
• Gaelic: Gealan lin
• UK: Migrant/Resident Breeder, Passage/Winter Visitor
• UK: RED LIST, 540,000 territories RSPB
• WI: Scarce (1-9 breeding pairs) migrant breeder and passage visitor
• Habitat: Open country: farmland, heathland, rough ground, farmland hedges, saltmarshes, parks, gardens
• Diet: Seeds & insects
• Small, slim finch. Breeding males have crimson foreheads & breasts, females much browner. Undulating flight, (often twittering as it goes).
• Typical lifespan 2yrs
• Listen to a Linnet (RSPB site)
• Similar birds: Twite, Common Redpoll, Mealy Redpoll
  

The linnet has a melodious song popular and was a popular cage bird.

 

Linnet records in the Western Isles

Scarce (1-9 breeding pairs) migrant breeder and passage visitor

The chart below shows how abundant the Linnet is during a month or when you are more likely to see it.

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D

(Source: Outer Hebrides Birds Checklist)

 

 

Frank's web site of his nature photography
www.frankstark.com

Other local bird photographs

Sources of information for the bird sightings section

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