The common linnet (Linaria cannabina) is a small songbird in the finch family, known for its pleasant song and sociable behavior. Here’s a breakdown of its appearance and responsiveness to bird calls for both males and females:
Male Common Linnet
Appearance: Males are distinguishable by their reddish breast and forehead, especially during the breeding season. They have brownish-gray upper parts and white underparts with pinkish hues. The wings have a distinctive black and white pattern.
Size: They are small, typically about 13-14 cm (5-5.5 in) in length with a wingspan of about 21-25 cm (8-10 in).
Behavior: Male linnets are known to be quite vocal and responsive to bird calls, especially during the breeding season when they sing more frequently to mark territory and attract females. Males will often respond to playbacks of their own song or the song of a potential rival.
Female Common Linnet
Appearance: Females are generally more subdued in color compared to males. They lack the red coloration on the breast and forehead, appearing mainly brownish-gray with subtle streaks on the body.
Behavior: Females are less responsive to bird call playbacks than males, especially during the non-breeding season. However, they may still react to certain calls, particularly those indicating potential danger or the presence of other linnets.
Responsiveness to Bird Calls
Breeding Season: Both males and females are more responsive to calls during the breeding season. Males respond vigorously to playback calls as they establish and defend territory, while females may react to calls from mates or other linnets.
Outside Breeding Season: Linnets are less responsive outside the breeding season, especially females. They tend to gather in flocks, and their response to individual bird calls diminishes as they focus on foraging and socializing.
The common linnet is a sociable species, so both sexes will often join flocks in response to communal calls. However, males are generally more reactive to individual call playbacks