Twite or linnet (1 Viewer)

[Pigeonpigeon]

Hi all,

I’m on a holiday in the highlands of Scotland. Saw these birds today at the bay of Culkein. Group of six. One time briefly visited by a male linnet. What would you reckon? The two pictures are not necessary the same bird, but it could be.

Looking forward to your thoughts.
Kind regards Jon

 

[Southern Viking]

All three birds shown are Twite

 

[delia todd]

Hi Jon and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing about the birds you see around you.

 

[Pigeonpigeon]

All three birds shown are Twite

Thanks for replying! Out of curiosity, and because I couldn’t figure it out myself, why are the birds shown no juvenile linnets?

 

[Southern Viking]

Thanks for replying! Out of curiosity, and because I couldn’t figure it out myself, why are the birds shown no juvenile linnets?

Twite have much smaller, Lesser Redpoll like bills compared to Linnet. It's harder to judge in the angle of your first (lone) bird, but that has the typical heavily dark streaked appearance of a summer adult Twite. The two together look like juveniles, also showing warm buffy throats/faces and wingbars, as well as typical tiny bill.

Also, welcome to Birdforum. Sorry I posted late last night and didn't notice you were a new member.

 

[Jos Stratford]

Likewise, a welcome from me 👍

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

A good Linnet feature is a pale spot on the cheek, I've borrowed this picture from the internet of a juvenile that shows it.

 

[Pigeonpigeon]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! And thanks for the extra explanation.

 

[Southern Viking]

As shown in the photo of the Linnet Stephen posted above, the bill size isn't always obvious, but it's worth looking at the shape too, as Twite have a straight culmen (upper edge) and it's more convex in Linnet.

This link may be of interest too: Common Linnet, Twite and Lesser Redpoll photo ID guide