A small finch of open farmland and heathland whose male has a crimson breast and forehead in spring — linnets feed almost exclusively on seeds, particularly those of weeds on farmland, and have declined dramatically as herbicides have eliminated the weed seed supply; their liquid, twittering song was once prized and they were widely kept as cage birds.
Crimson spring plumage
In spring and summer, male linnets are transformed: the head develops a rich crimson forehead patch and the breast a deep crimson-pink suffusion, against a chestnut back. In autumn and winter, the crimson is almost entirely lost and the male becomes a streaky brown bird difficult to distinguish from females. The seasonal plumage change is dramatic.
Cage bird history
Linnets were one of the most popular cage birds in Europe from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. Their liquid, musical song was prized — canaries were partly selected for linnet-like qualities. They were trapped in enormous numbers using elaborate traps, clap-nets, and limed twigs. In Britain, the keeping of wild-caught native birds was banned under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which ended linnet trapping.
Farmland decline
Linnet populations in Britain have declined by approximately 50% since the 1970s due to agricultural intensification. Linnets feed almost exclusively on the seeds of arable weeds — fat hen, persicaria, chickweed, and similar plants. The widespread use of herbicides since the 1970s has dramatically reduced weed seed abundance on farmland, leaving linnets without sufficient food in winter. Agri-environment schemes that allow weedy uncropped margins have shown localised benefits.
Gorse heathland
In upland and coastal areas, linnets breed in gorse (Ulex europaeus) — the dense, spiny bushes provide perfect protected nest sites. Heathland with a mosaic of gorse and open ground is prime linnet habitat.
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