Twite or Linnet - Dublin (1 Viewer)

[vgarland]

Taken today at the Great South Wall Dublin.

I'm thinking Twite - but that is heavily influenced by the fact that this would be a Lifer!

Best regards,

Victor

 

[01101001]

I thought someone would answer before me, but, if not, I think your bird shows at least some characteristics of Linnet (pale cheek spot, pale crescents under and over the eye and a biggish bill). I also think we can just about see the breast and belly streaking pattern of Linnet (the photo is from the side, so the narrow, elongated central belly area that lacks streaking is barely visible).

EDIT: Not sure about the rest now, but Twites seem to have less extensive streaking with a bigger area without streaking, having a graduated border (= perpendicular steps). I may have jumped the gun on this one, I think I have, so I stand to be corrected. Thank you.

 

[maplekong]

I'm not sure, this is a troublesome one. The 'grey bill, grey head contrasting with plain brownish upperparts' of a linnet doesn't seem to match, but then there's white in the wing, and overall doesn't look dark enough for twite, so I would go for linnet. But then there's not black in the wing either... hope someone else chips in, sorry.

 

[Winterdune]

Linnet for me

 

[Butty]

I worry that some of us may be trying to identify a juvenile (like what I think this is) when our field guides don't illustrate them.

 

[vgarland]

Thank you everybody for your help. I am going with Juvenile Linnet. Like most of the responses, I had a doubt because of the streaking which looked more "Twite" like to me. But it is not clearly obvious that it is a Twite and on reflection the bill size seems more like a Linnet. So still waiting for that Lifer!

Best regards,

Victor.

 

[01101001]

I (at least) intended to say that the streaking was more Linnetlike, but, then, I don't know--maybe someone else can explain the difference?

 

[pianoman]

I've often half-convinced myself of Twites in Dublin and Dun Laoghaire vgarland, but always have to admit they are Linnet in the end. Twites very scarce except in the north and northwest of the country. I wouldn't trust myself with anything other than an adult with a nice yellow bill.

 

[01101001]

(Although the bill can appear yellow when viewed directly against the sun, even though it's actually grey.)

Can we say that Linnets/Twites tend to vary in underparts streaking pattern (excluding male Linnets showing red patches)?

 

[vgarland]

Thank you all for your replies!!