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Common linnet Facts

Common linnet Facts
Common linnet is small songbird that belongs to the finch family. It can be found in Europe, West Asia and North-West Africa. Common linnet inhabits farmlands, fields, hedgerows, scrublands, orchards and parks. Common linnet was popular cage bird during the 19th century. Habitat destruction and pollution of the ground with pesticides and fertilizers led to sharp decline in the number of common linnets in Europe during the second half of the 20th century. Even though population of common linnets has been reduced for nearly 50%, these birds are still not on the list of endangered species.
Interesting Common linnet Facts:
Common linnet can reach 5 inches in length and 0.5 to 0.75 ounce of weight.
Males have grey head, white throat and reddish brown plumage on the back. Crown and chest are pinkish-red colored during the breeding season. Females are brown colored, slightly duller compared to males. Ventral side of their body is white with ochre markings on the chest. Wings and tail are white colored on the edges.
Common linnet has short grey bill, slim body and long, forked tail.
Common linnet has a wingspan of 8.5 to 10 inches and it has undulating flight.
Common linnet is an omnivore (it eats both plants and meat). Majority of diet is based on seed. Common linnet eats seed of 46 different species of plants, mostly from a cabbage family. It occasionally hunts and eats small invertebrates (such as insects).
Scientific name of common linnet, "Carduelis cannabina", refers to the feeding habits of this bird and its affection for hemp (variety of cannabis). Common name "linnet" refers to fondness for flaxseed, that is used in the manufacture of linen.
Common linnet lives in large flocks (often mixed with other species of finch) outside the breeding season.
Eastern and northern populations of common linnets migrate to the south during the autumn.
Common linnet produces melodic, pleasant songs that consist of fast trills and twitters.
Mating season of common linnets takes place from April to August. Common linnets live in small colonies (around 20 individuals) during the breeding season.
Common linnets mate with only one partner during the breeding season (monogamous birds) and produce 2 to 3 broods per year.
Common linnet builds cup-shaped nests made of grass and twigs in the bushes and thorny trees.
Female lays 4 to 6 pale blue eggs with purple and brown spots. Eggs hatch after 11 to 13 days. Only female takes part in the incubation of eggs.
Both parents collect and bring seed (basic source of food for the chicks) to the nest. Chicks are ready to leave the nest at the age of 11 to 17 days. Common linnets reach sexual maturity at the age of one year.
Common linnet can survive up to 8 years in the wild (2 years is an average lifespan).


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