The male summer Eurasian Linnet has a grey head, brown back, red head-patch and red breast.
Winter males, females and young birds lack the red, having streaked breasts and buffy underparts.

There are 7 subspecies of the Eurasian Linnet. This is the subspecies (Carduelis cannabina guentheri) which occurs only at Madeira.

Madeira, Portugal, 7 November 2013