TWITE - WESTERN ISLES BIRD SIGHTINGS
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Twite - Western Isles Birds
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Twite - Isle of Lewis - Western Isles Bird Sightings - Scotland
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(Click Image for Larger Pictures) |
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Twite - Isle Of Lewis
Ref:TWI1000
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Twite - Isle Of Lewis
Ref:TWI2000
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Twite - Isle Of Lewis
Ref:TWI3000
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We saw this lovely juvenile twite along the path after crossing The Bridge to Nowhere - Garry - Isle of Lewis
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Sitting proud this young bird the twite -posing for us - Isle of Lewis bird sightings.
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In some areas of Southern England, these birds are quite rare. Here in The Western Isles they are often seen.
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Twite - Isle Of Lewis
Ref:TWI3000
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A finch like bird - similar to the linnet. The twites diet consists wholly of seeds.
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| Bird Overview - Twite |
Family |
Finches |
Latin name |
Carduelis flavirostris |
Population |
Common - but localised |
Similar Species |
Redpoll
Linnet
Meadow Pipit |
Description |
The twite is a small, brown bird, similar in size to a linnet - especially as it has the same white panels in its tail. The twite has a longer tail and stubbier bill. Its back is tawny, heavily streaked with dark brown, its flanks have dark-brown streaks and its belly is white. In breeding plumage the male's rump is pink.
In winter the Twite is easily recognised as it has a bright, pale, yellowish bill which stands out against its dark head In summer the Twite's bill is darker, the Twite is generally darker and drabber than a Linnet with a neater pale bar across the wing and a plainer, buff face and throat with hardly any evidence of dark and light moustache lines. Summer is also the time when the pink rump of the male Twite is most obvious
It forms large flocks in winter when it spends most of the time feeding on the ground. |
Size |
12.5 - 14cm (5-5 1/2 ins)
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Habitat |
This lovely bird breeds on the moorland and areas near the sea that are stony. In winter some of the twites stay in N and W Scotland and here in The Western Isles - , near the coast. Others, including Continental birds, move to the coast of eastern England where you can see them on salt marshes and coastal fields.
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Food |
These finches eat seeds. Although these birds share characteristics with redpoll - they are ground feeders and not treetop feeders like the redpoll. Its is unusual that these birds feed their young on seeds too!
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Voice |
The flight call is a nasal, twang rising twa-eeet. A song with buzzing notes and trills all mixed together.
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Breeding |
The twite is a bird that builds its nest close to the ground. These birds can sometimes raise two broods during a season. They have deep cups of twigs, grass and moss, lined with hair in a bush or a bank. There are 4-6 eggs between May and June.
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Misc. Info |
These birds have a 2 - 3 year lifespan. In some areas - Ireland particularly, these birds are quite rare. Also in Southern parts of England where their preferred habitats - the birds normally nest in long heather and bracken, on the top of north-facing sea cliffs
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The twite is one of only two British songbirds that have a diet consisting entirely of seeds, even as chicks, and this has been a major factor in its demise. As hay meadows, and traditional lightly grazed pastures have largely disappeared, so too has the supply of late summer seeds on which the twite depends.
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Should you have any queries or comments in connection with the information I have given in relation to the birds ( all comments or assistance welcome as I am only a novice bird spotter) - please email your feedback to chris@gcwweb.com
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BIRDS OF SCOTLAND - WESTERN ISLES BIRD SIGHTINGS
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