Twite (Linaria flavirostris)
Short-toed Treecreeper (Certhia brachydactyla)
Relatively characterless plumage. Differs from Linnet in warmer, yellowish base colour, yellow bill (grey in breeding plumage), bolder wing-bars and coarsely streaked back. Male with pinkish rump. Told from Redpoll by white base of primaries (like Linnet), and missing red and black head markings. Slightly longer tail and shorter bill than Linnet.
Sound:Contact call a short "chep" given in series, similar to Brambling, Redpoll and Linnet. Easiest identified by other distinct call given both in flight and on ground; a peculiar, nasal and twangy "twite", from which the species name originates. Each "twite" gives the impression of the pitch being "out of control", like cartoon-like sound-effects. Song a rapid alternation of trills and nasal "twites", given in an even tempo with phrases of variable length. Lacks Linnet's frequent inclusion of "gig-gig" sounds.
Song:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCVery similar to Treecreeper C. familiaris, and id by sound generally easier than by appearance in areas where both species occur. Primaries with small, almost pure white tips restricted to outer web. Hind-claw shorter than hind-toe. Wing-bar usually with even "steps", but often difficult to determine. Underparts less white and more brownish than in continental C. familiaris (which again is browner than the pure white northern subspecies). Bill longer and with a stronger curved tip.
Sound:Contact call very similar to C. familiaris. A thin "sreee" often repeated in an even rhythm, perhaps with slighly shorter pauses. Flight call a short and sharp "wit" used freely when moving about. Song diagnostic, and introductory notes often used singly when interacting. Full song starts with one or two staccato introductory notes, the first higher pitched than the second, followed by a rapid, ascending crescendo ending in a drawn-out, less pure "sree". The tone is loud and much more penetrating and clear than C. familiaris. Timbre recalls wet rubber-boots on vinyl flooring. Note that "mixed singers" of C. familiaris are not uncommon in areas where both species of treecreepers occur.
Song:
Distribution:
Xeno-canto: map
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCCC-photo:Agustín Povedano, Licence,Link.