Taxonomy
Carduelis flavirostris | Twite | Gleoiseach sléibhe
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
This species is Red-listed
according to Birds of Conservation Concern in Ireland 2020-2026 and is of high
conservation value as a result.
According to the last IUCN Red
List assessment in 2016, the Twite is a species of ‘Least Concern’ on a global
scale. A decreasing population trend has been noted however.
Species Biology
Identification
The Twite is a species of finch
that can be identified by its brown back with streaks of dark brown-black and
whitish underparts.
The head lacks the streaking that
covers the rest of the body and is a plain brown-grey colour.
The Twite may be confused with
the female Linnet (another finch species) but has some subtle differences such
as a shorter, wider bill (for feeding on seed) and a longer tail.
A characteristic feature of the
Twite is a pinkish patch that can be seen on the rump of the male.
Standing at approximately 14 cm
in length, the Twite has a wingspan of 22-24 cm and weighs 13-18 grams.
Diet
The Twite feeds primarily on plant
material such as seeds and grains but will sometimes feed on insect species
(mostly the young).
Habitat
This species is associated with coastal
sites.
Reproduction
From mid-May to early-July, the
female lays a clutch of 5-6 eggs and incubates these eggs for a period of 13
days. The eggs weigh approximately 1.4 grams each.
Chicks fledge after about two
weeks (15-16 days).
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Today, this species is very rare
in Ireland with the declining population confined to coastal bogs in County
Mayo and County Donegal.
This species has declined because
of a reduction in mixed farming, particularly the loss of small plots of
vegetables and cereal in the landscape (Gilbert, Stanbury and Lewis, 2021).
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
The following map is interactive. If you would prefer to view it full screen then click here.
Further information
BirdWatch Ireland: https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds/twite/
The Royal Society for the
Protection of Birds: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/twite/
British
Trust for Ornithology: https://app.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob16620.htm
IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22720438/111128447
References
Publications
Gilbert, G., Stanbury, A. and Lewis, L., 2021. Birds of Conservation
Concern in Ireland 4: 2020-2026. [online] Wicklow. Available at:
<https://birdwatchireland.ie/birds-of-conservation-concern-in-ireland/>
[Accessed 2 Jun. 2021].