Birds and wildlife

Parrot Crossbill

Loxia pytyopsittacusGroup: FinchesUK Conservation status:Not assessed

How to identify

The Parrot Crossbill is a large, powerful finch. It has a deep parrot-like bill and a sharply forked tail. The male is orange to red with dusky wings and tail, the female is olive-green or grey. It is very similar to the Crossbill and Scottish Crossbill – the bill structure and the distinctive, deeper call is the most reliable way to separate them. Groups of Parrot Crossbills come to Britain from Europe in years when the cone crop has failed there. It has started to breed away from its stronghold in Abernethy Forest. They are listed on Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Key facts