Twite
Linaria flavirostris
The Twite is a small, brown finch that is a rare winter visitor to Britain, primarily seen in the northern and western regions, particularly in areas with abundant seed-bearing plants. It can be spotted in Britain from October to March, with the majority of sightings occurring in Scotland and northern England.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Twite in the field.
The Twite can be identified by its streaked brown back, white stripes above its eyes, and a distinctive yellow bill, which is yellowish-brown in winter. Its wings and tail are also notable for their brownish-grey colour with white edges.
The Twite is smaller than a Starling, roughly comparable in size to a Linnet.
The male Twite has a brown back with dark streaks, a white belly, and a yellowish-brown bill, with a distinctive white stripe above its eye, and its plumage can vary slightly depending on the season.
The female Twite is similar to the male, with a slightly duller brown back and a less pronounced white stripe above the eye.
The Twite's call is a sharp, metallic "tsee" or "teck" sound, often repeated in a series, while its song is a melodic, warbling phrase.
Twites are social birds that often forage in flocks, feeding on small seeds, particularly those of weeds and grasses, and occasionally insects, with a bouncy, undulating flight style.
The Twite can be confused with the Linnet, but can be distinguished by its yellowish-brown bill, white stripe above the eye, and a more streaked back, as well as its smaller size and more social behaviour.
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