Linnet

Linaria cannabina

A cheerful songster with a rosy breast, this small finch brightens fields and gardens across Europe and beyond.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Linnet is a small finch with a slender build and forked tail. Males in breeding plumage display a striking crimson forehead and breast, contrasting with their grey-brown upperparts and whitish underparts. The wings feature a distinctive white edge.

Females and non-breeding males lack red colouration and instead show heavily streaked brown plumage on their backs and flanks. Both sexes have grey bills and pinkish-brown legs.

Juvenile birds are similar to adult females but more streaked and with an overall duller appearance.

Size

Length

13cm to 14cm

Wingspan

21cm to 25cm

Weight

15g to 20g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour

Red White

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Brown Pink

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

White

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Brown Pink

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Linnet is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Linnet is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Linnet is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Linnet is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Linnet can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Linnet can be found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Linnet can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Linnet is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Linnet is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Linnet is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Linnet is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Linnet is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Linnets inhabit open countryside, preferring areas with low vegetation and scattered bushes or trees. They are found across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, with some populations extending into Central Asia.

In the UK, Linnets are widespread breeding birds found in coastal areas, heathlands, and farmland edges. During winter, some UK birds migrate south, while others arrive from northern Europe to overwinter.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Linnet. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons