Linnets

Linnet, scientific name Linaria cannabina, is a small passerine bird belonging to the finch family Fringillidae. It is native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The common linnet is a widespread and familiar bird, often found in open country, heathland, farmland, and coastal areas. Males are characterized by a reddish crown and breast, especially during the breeding season, with streaky brown plumage on their back and wings. Females are duller, lacking the red coloration and appearing more uniformly streaky brown. Young birds resemble females.

These birds are primarily seed-eaters, with a diet consisting mainly of seeds from weeds and grasses. They will also consume insects, particularly during the breeding season when protein is needed for their young. Linnets are social birds, often forming flocks outside of the breeding season. Their song is a cheerful, melodious warble, often incorporating trills and mimicry.

The breeding season typically runs from spring to summer. Nests are usually built in dense bushes or hedges, where the female lays a clutch of 4-6 eggs. Both parents participate in incubation and feeding the young. Linnets are migratory in some parts of their range, though many populations in milder climates are resident. They are a common sight in gardens and agricultural landscapes, contributing to the biodiversity of these environments.