Linnet or Twite -- West Mongolia (1 Viewer)

[Liebzi]

Hi all,

A young 1cy Linnet/twite from West Mongolia september 2019. Only picture I got unfortunately It must be a twite, but feel like I can't rule out Linnet. Let me hear what you think.

Thanks

 

[stevo]

Linnet(no pink rump)

 

[Southern Viking]

Linnet(no pink rump)

Bill looks tiny though and pale. The local race of Twite there would be Linaria flavirostris altaica I think? I read that some eastern populations of Twite only have faintly tinged pink rumps in fem/imm plumage. Could that be the case here?

 

[Bewick]

The bird in the pic seems to have a pale greyish rump not a faintly pinkish rump, I'm seconding linnet. A linnets bill can appear palish and sometimes even slightly yellow tinged, the bird is looking away from the photographer and therefore I wouldn't assume bill size.

 

[Southern Viking]

The bird in the pic seems to have a pale greyish rump not a faintly pinkish rump, I'm seconding linnet. A linnets bill can appear palish and sometimes even slightly yellow tinged, the bird is looking away from the photographer and therefore I wouldn't assume bill size.

Fair enough, I'm colourblind so couldn't tell! Thought I'd put the idea out there though

 

[Butty]

Pink rump isn't an essential for twite (in Europe) (Svensson). Dinky stubby pointed bill looks better for twite, regardless of angle in my opinion. Lacks linnet's usually-obvious big pale cheek-spot. Wide pale tips to greater coverts seem better for twite. I think it's a twite.

 

[Bewick]

Pink rump isn't an essential for twite (in Europe) (Svensson). Dinky stubby pointed bill looks better for twite, regardless of angle in my opinion. Lacks linnet's usually-obvious big pale cheek-spot. Wide pale tips to greater coverts seem better for twite. I think it's a twite.

Immature linnets can lack the cheek-spot and the greater coverts seem better for a linnet (again more subtle in immatures).

 

[KenM]

To my eye, the mantle streaking is perhaps too heavy for Linnet, also the ground colour of the head is more buffy (certainly not grey).
Further, the bill if anything looks creamy/yellowish again not grey, as one might expect for Linnet.
I’d tentatively suggest Twite as the candidate.

Cheers

 

[Bewick]

To my eye, the mantle streaking is perhaps too heavy for Linnet, also the ground colour of the head is more buffy (certainly not grey).
Further, the bill if anything looks creamy/yellowish again not grey, as one might expect for Linnet.
I’d tentatively suggest Twite as the candidate.

Cheers

I do not see the creamy/yellowish bill, I see a greyish bill which is palish, also immature linnets have stronger streaking… and immatures have a more buffish brownish head compared to adults

Edit- also I would expect an immature twitch to have a warmer rump, while pale is expected on a linnet.

 

[KenM]

Edit- also I would expect an immature twitch to have a warmer rump, while pale is expected on a linnet.
[/QUOTE]

I do not see the creamy/yellowish bill, I see a greyish bill which is palish, also immature linnets have stronger streaking… and immatures have a more buffish brownish head compared to adults

I beg to differ,

I’ve given my reasons based on what “I can see”, of course perfect well lit profile images should give a more balanced view and no doubt would be more determinant, that said, more likely Twite for me.

Cheers

 

[THE_FERN]

Twite for me. Never seen a linnet with a tiny triangular bill like this (only male twite with pink rump in Europe)

 

[Bewick]

Twite for me. Never seen a linnet with a tiny triangular bill like this (only male twite with pink rump in Europe)

Such a pale rump? Which is typical of a linnet. Honestly, as the birds looking away I feel as if judging it on the bill alone is unsafe. Though, I’m now leaning in a more neutral position.

 

[Mike Earp]

Doesn't the lighter area around the eye and the absence of a white wingbar make this a Linnet?

 

[edenwatcher]

These photos Twite (Carduelis flavirostris). Birds of Mongolia. very strongly suggest twite.

Rob

 

[Redmist]

As Bewick suggests, although the bill looks tiny is it because of the perspective that we are only seeing the tip of a larger bill?

 

[Southern Viking]

As Bewick suggests, although the bill looks tiny is it because of the perspective that we are only seeing the tip of a larger bill?

Personally I think it would look bigger on a Linnet even from that angle. Plus those images of the Mongolian Twites match the bird very well.

Worth asking, does the OP have any other photos at all, even blurred showing the bird from a more side on angle?

 

[Liebzi]

No unfortunately not, this is the only image I have!

 

[PaulCountyDurham]

'Looks absolutely Twite. 'Not just the bill but everything about the bird's head suggests Twite.