Twite - Carduelis flavirostris

Twite (Carduelis flavirostris)

Mainland, Shetland, Scotland
May 2004

The Twite breeds mainly in central and south-west Asia but two sub-species breed in north-west Europe. This photo taken in Shetland shows the sub-species C. f. pipilans. They are partly migratory with some breeders from north-west Europe spending the winter in lowland farmland or along the North and Baltic Sea coasts.

It could be confused with a female Linnet C. cannabina or Redpoll C. flammea but has a buff throat and face, is generally darker and more streaked, has no hint of red on crown or breast and is a bird of open country rather than woodland.

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