The Linnet, Carduelis cannabina, is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.
This bird breeds in Europe, western Asia and north Africa. It is partially resident, but many eastern and northern birds migrate further south in the breeding range or move to the coasts.
This species can form large flocks outside the breeding season, sometimes mixed with other finches, such as Twite, on coasts and salt marshes. Its food mainly consists of seeds. The linnet derives its scientific name from its fondness for hemp and its English name from its liking for seeds of flax, from which linen is made.
They are sometimes found several hundred miles at sea.
"The Linnets" has become the nickname of King's Lynn Football Club and Runcorn Linnets Football Club (formerly known as 'Runcorn F.C.' and Runcorn F.C. Halton). Barry Town F.C., the South Wales-based football team, also used to be nicknamed 'The Linnets'.
The Linnet is IUCN Redlisted as threatened and also listed by the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a priority species. In Britain populations are declining, attributed to increasing use of herbicides, aggressive scrub removal and excessive hedge trimming.