Linnet (was "help to id small finch type birds")

bibio

I was out deer stalking yesterday monring in mixed sitka confir, larch, oak and beech wood. I'm far from an expert, but consider myself reasonably good at id'ing birds. I saw a flock of about a dozen finch type birds, small about the size of great tit, maybe a little smaller, although longer tail. They flew in an undulating fashion similar to a finch. Most of the birds were light brown in colour but one or two had a faint reddish tinge to the breast. I'm thinking linnet or redpoll, any ideas?

littlebug

Hi Bibio,

It's hard to know without a pic.... could be either. I'd be more inclined to think linnet with the reddish breast you mention (male) but who knows
Have you looked at the RSPB bird identifier? It might narrow things down a bit or alternatively go back with a camera!
Sorry... not much help:o


littlebug

mgwhelan

littlebug

What size is a long tailed tit in comparison to others? I've never seen one . It did cross my mind with mention of a longer tail but I discounted it due to my assumption that it is smaller than a great tit.

trebor28

long tailed tits are tiny compared to a great tit.

the tail just makes them look bigger than they are.
about the same size as a blue tit.

bibio

Thanks for the help guys,

I used the great tit comparison purely for size, deifnately not a long tailed tit or any other type of tit, almost certain it was a finch.

Thx

bibio

Got him,

It was a flock of linnets, below link, perfect likeness. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.discoverislay.com/images/islay_wildlife/birds/islay_birds_linnet.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.discoverislay.com/linnet_islay.html&h=333&w=500&sz=30&tbnid=Ke_jvvv85CLUjM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bof%2Blinnet&zoom=1&q=images+of+linnet&usg=__wIJi977d9g1Dd2zR3gnznsmaMqM=&sa=X&ei=eoXhTI-MHMLJhAf_sPS3DQ&ved=0CBoQ9QEwAg

Thanks All,

Bibio