Common Linnet

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Heaths, farmland, coast.
Diet: Seeds.
Best time to spot: Twittering flocks; male's red breast.

When to look

Resident in the UK, so it can be found year-round. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Common Linnet sits in our Common tier for the UK: one of the birds you can expect on most days out in the right habitat. It is Red-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the highest level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• TwiteRare · Uplands (summer); coast (winter)
• GreenfinchCommon · Gardens
• Barn SwallowCommon · Farmland (summer)
• Canada GooseCommon · Lakes
• Collared DoveCommon · Gardens
• Common BuzzardCommon · Farmland

Kit that helps

Best bird food for UK gardens. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.