Birds of Ireland: Linnet
Linnet on perch A linnet's song is often a very long series of chirps, twitters, chatters and musical warbling notes. They often sing from the top of a bush/tree
- Linnet (Gleoiseoch / Carduelis cannabina)
- Linnets are around 13-14cm long with a wingspan of 24cm. They are found here all year round and are a common breeding species, typically found on farmland.
Linnets are the size of a robin but are slimmer, with a short, triangular grey beak, and dark legs.
The males have a bright red forehead and breast patches; the rest of their head is grey and they have a white belly and a rich brown back. Their wings are darker brown with bright white edges to primaries; and their tail is notched/edged white. Their non breeding plumage is duller and they lose their bright red feathers.
Females, juveniles and linnets with immature plumage are browner, their feathers are streaked and there is no red or grey.
In flight, linnets have noticeable diffuse pale flashes on their wings, they call constantly and have a bouncing flight.
A linnet's flight call is squeaky β like a wet cork rubbed against glass. Its song is often a very long series of chirps, twitters, chatters and musical warbling notes. They often sing from the top of a bush/tree.
You can practice your observation skills by describing and sketching birds that are easy to find and watch such as birds in your garden or at a local pond or woodland. Taking notes makes you look more closely and systematically at the birds you see and hear and helps you become a better birdwatcher.
Most mobile phones have a sound record option and this could be used to record your bird description. If the bird is making any sounds, these can sometimes be loud enough to record also.
You could use an app on your phone to record what you see when you are out and about. BirdTrack is recommended by BirdWatch Ireland, and another good one is eBird, which also allows you access other people's lists. So if you are travelling somewhere now, either in Ireland or abroad, you can view up-to-date lists of birds recently uploaded by others, giving you an idea of what you might see yourself wherever you are.
Featured in , (Gill Books) by Jim Wilson, with photographs by Mark Carmody.
- Jim Wilson is a wildlife writer, broadcaster, tour leader, and former chairman of BirdWatch Ireland. He has been involved in the study and conservation of birds in Ireland for more than 45 years, contributing to several major surveys and international projects.
- Mark Carmody is an award-winning wildlife photographer, has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a European patent attorney.
