Appearance:

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

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Terje Kolaas, Licence,Link.

Appearance:

Adults easily recognized by rufous cap, black back, white scapular patches and white rump. Appears more compact and bigger headed than Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike. White spot at base of bill larger in female than in male. Immatures told from Red-backed Shrike by whitish scapulars, greyer upperparts, diffuse patch at base of primaries, pale rump and dark brown tail. Young birds may also be confused with Masked shrike, but note less contrasting primary patch, darker forehead, browner upperparts and wings, pale rump, shorter tail and deeper bill. Subspecies L. s. badius lacks primary patch. More skulking than many shrikes. Likes high viewpoints.

Sound:

Alarm call a dry, magpie-like "che-che-che-che-che", or a nasal, ascending oriole-like "weea". Territorial song loud and varied. Often repeats phrases and includes mimicry. Alternativ song a more continuous chattering with impressive mimicry similar to Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrike, and difficult to separate from those.

Song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-sound:Michele Peron, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:Hans Verdaat, Licence,Link.

CC-photo:marco van der velde, Licence,Link.