Call: A range of twittering chirps and cheeps, including a repetitive "didit-didit-didit".

Feeding habits: Eats mainly seeds, insects and spiders, but will eat almost anything on the bird table in winter. Gregarious at all times.

Nest: An untidy mass of grass and straw, often with paper and string, lined with hair and feathers; usually wedged into a hole or on a building ledge, often amongst ivy and other creepers. Sometimes built in a hedge, and then usually, a neater, domed structure.

Habitat and range: Parks, gardens and neighbouring fields and hedgerows; rarely far from human habitation. Present throughout the UK but suffered a decline through the 1990's, although seems to be making a strong recovery.

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