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 Twite Carduelis flavirostris L 13. Breeds on upland moors, also near coast. In winter on cultivated lowlands, rubbish tips, along flat coasts and similar places, where seeks food in flocks among tall weeds. Fearless but restless and therefore difficult to see properly, often flies a long way off. In general most resembles Redpoll and Linnet. Often associates with both. Compared with Redpoll, longer-tailed, more yellowish-brown in tone and lacks dark areas on forehead and throat; resembles female Linnet, but bill is bright yellow (though in summer grey-brown, as in female House Sparrow), cheeks and breast yellower brown, throat unmarked dull yellow (not whitish and streaked), the wing has a Redpoll-like pale bar (tips of greater coverts), does not have such obvious white on outer primaries as Linnet. Legs black. Male has pink on rump, though this is very difficult to discern in the field, especially in autumn/winter (when brown fringes conceal). Most typical call is a nasal, hoarse, fine 'TWEit' (hence the name), which is totally characteristic and is heard in particular from large flocks. Also has a more conventional chattering call 'jek, jek', which is related mainly to calls of Redpoll and Brambling but also to those of Linnet and Greenfinch. Song chattering, with calls intermingled. R SW
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