Convervation status: Amber

Latin name

Loxia pytyopstittacus

Family

Finches (Fringillidae)

Overview

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. Irrupts into Britain some years from Europe after the cone crops has failed there and has bred away from its stronghold in Abernethy Forest.

When to see them

Irruptions can occur at any time of the year. Following those, birds may remain to breed.

What they eat

Conifer seeds, mainly pine, and some insects in the breeding season.

Estimated numbers

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Sound: Wildsounds/Sitelle

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Parrot crossbill male

Parrot crossbill female

Similar birds

Crossbill

Scottish crossbill