Fun Twite Bird Facts For Kids

The twite, Carduelis flavirostris, also known by its other scientific name, Linaria flavirostris, is a small bird that comes from the category of finches. These small species with small bills are known to be weak fliers and mostly have brown plumage with white and black strikes. Twites are small finches that have a thin tail and are often confused with other linnet family species. The size of these small brown birds is 5.1-5.3 in (13-13.5 cm).

The difference between these two birds is known by the red color, which is normally spotted on the head of linnet birds while lacking in twite, Carduelis flavirostris. The two species tend to sit very differently when perched. Twites are brown-colored finches with black strikes or bands and a pink rump. The underbelly parts of these birds are white with streaks of brown. Twites have a small, cute bill that is conical in shape. It is known to change its color with the season, such as in summer when the bill is a gray color while in winter it is a yellow color. These birds are known to produce a twitching sound that resembles the sound of a song.

After the breeding season, the twites are evident in large groups or flocks of a mixed group of finches near the coastal and salt marsh region. These species are known to feed upon seeds in the habitat in which they live. A twite is a small bird that covers a wide geographical location, from the north of Europe to China in Asia. For breeding, they generally prefer the moorland, which is treeless. The finches build their nests in the habitat of moorland, which is mostly observed near the bush area, and around five to six light blue eggs are laid. Twite, Carduelis flavirostris, is known to migrate from north to south with the arrival of the winter season. They are seen near the coastal areas. In Ireland, the small brown bird population is declining. 

What type of animal is a twite bird?

A twite is a small bird in the category of finches, which can normally be seen around salt marshes. These birds, with the arrival of the winter season, migrate to the south and, with the arrival of the summer season, come back to their own native place. These twite birds are often confused with the linnet family birds but have a lot of differences, the major one being the color of their plumage. 

What class of animal does a twite bird belong to?

Twite birds, scientific name Carduelis flavirostris or Linaria flavirostris, belong to the family of Fringillidae and the order of Passeriformes. These species come under the phylum of Chordata and the class of Aves. The genus that these small brown finches belong to is Linaria. The sub-family of these breeding birds is the Carduelinae.

How many twite birds are there in the world?

Well, there's a lot of twites in the world. Nobody knows exactly how many, but they're widespread, occurring from Europe to Asia.

Where does a twite bird live?

Twite birds change their locations, which change from summer to winter. They are found in the highlands of Scotland, the northern parts of England, and Wales. They cover most of Europe while migrating to the south and are also seen on the continent of Asia, where their geographical location expanded to China.

What is a twite bird's habitat?

These small brown bird species with small round heads are seen on the coast and moorland without trees. They are also seen near the shrub area and salt marshes. Near the dense shrub area, these birds build the nest in which both males and females are known to engage. 

Who do twite birds live with?

It is unknown with whom these brown birds live, but they are seen in flocks of more than 50 on their wings while migrating to the south during the winter season. They are seen with other finches near the salt marshes. 

How long does a twite bird live?

Twite birds' longevity is unknown, while the finches are known to survive from 5–20 years, which might even vary. 

How do they reproduce?

The breeding season of these small brown birds starts in the month of May when summer turns to fall. The nest of the bird is built near the dense shrub area to protect the hatchlings from predators. These birds construct the nest with the help of their conical bills out of wool, hair, thistle, heather, and rootlets. Male and female of the species equally contribute to the nest-building process. The nest is built close to the ground near heather. The eggs laid are light blue in color and count five to six in number with brown and red spots on them. The incubation period is two weeks and the eggs hatch after two weeks, which might even extend up to three weeks. 

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of these small brown birds is of Least Concern as per the IUCN listing. 

What do twite birds look like?

These little species with short bills are reported to be poor fliers with brown plumage having white and black strikes on the wings. Twites are little finches with a slender tail that are frequently mistaken with other linnet family members. The tail is long which also helps them fly. These little brown birds range in size from 5.1-5.3 in (13-13.5 cm). The red tint that is generally spotted on the head of linnet birds but is absent in twite, Carduelis flavirostris, distinguishes these two species.

When perched, the two species sit considerably differently. Twites are brown finches with black strikes or bands on their wings and a pink lower half. The underside of these birds is white with brown stripes. Twites have a little, adorable, conical-shaped beak. It is known to change color depending on the season, such as in summer when the bill is gray and in winter when it is yellow. The eggs deposited have a bright blue tint with brown and red markings. If you want to spot twite birds then the above description would help you identify them.

How cute are they?

Yes, these small birds are cute and look even cuter on the breeding ground with their little nests. They have a cute bill that changes color from gray to yellow as the seasons change. The striped wings of the species and their small round heads make them look cute. 

How do they communicate?

The communication among these species is unknown, but during the breeding season, these birds are seen in large flocks while twitching sounds are heard if they are near human settlings. So, through song gestures, these birds might communicate with each other. 

How big is a twite bird?

These little brown twite birds. range in size from 5.1-5.3 in (13-13.5 cm).

How fast can a twite bird fly?

The speed of these birds is unknown.

How much does a twite bird weigh?

The weight of twite, Carduelis flavirostris is 0.45-0.63 oz (13–18 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male and female of the species do not have any specific names and are known by their common names. 

What would you call a baby twite bird?

The baby of twite, Carduelis flavirostris, is called a hatchling or juvenile. 

What do they eat?

Twite, Carduelis flavirostris are granivores. They feed on the seeds of sorrel and dandelion. 

Are they dangerous?

No, these birds are not dangerous and no harm has been evident to humans.

Would they make a good pet?

No, as these birds are migratory, it would not be an ideal choice to keep them as pets because it would not provide them with their natural environment or habitat as they migrate in the winter season towards the south. The breeding of the birds takes place near the heather of moorlands, hence, an artificial environment would not do good to their living conditions. 

Did You Know...

Linnets are small birds that have a gray bill, a white underbelly, and an upper body of brown color. The tail of the bird is long, like the twite bird species. They are thin in their body structure. Twite bird species are not endemic. During the breeding season and with the arrival of the winter season, these birds are often seen on wings. 

What is the difference between twite bird and redpoll?

The redpoll looks to be a close relative of the twite and has black, smooth feathers. The bill, on the other hand, is somewhat narrow, and the black shading on the chin and head show the species would be a redpoll.

How many eggs do twite birds lay? 

A twite is a small bird with a yellow bill in the winter season and lays around five to six light blue eggs during the breeding season, which starts in the month of May. 

*We've been unable to source an image of a twite bird and have used an image of a zebra finch bird instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of a twite bird, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected].