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  • Crossbill

Crossbill

Crossbill (male)
Crossbill (male)
Crossbill (female)
Crossbill (female)
  • Scientific name: Loxia curvirostra
  • Bird family: Finches
  • UK conservation status: Green
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Crossbill call

Your browser does not support this audio feature.

Ruud van Beusekom, Xeno-canto

Key information

The crossbill is a chunky finch with a large head and bill which is crossed over at the tips. This crossed bill is used to extract seeds from conifer cones. They are most often encountered in noisy family groups or larger flocks, usually flying close to treetop height. It feeds acrobatically, fluttering from cone to cone.

Adult males are a distinctive brick-red and females greenish-brown. It is a Schedule 1 species.

What they eat:

Seeds from conifers.

Measurements:

Length:
16.5cm
Wingspan:
27-30.5cm
Weight:
35-50g

Population:

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.
UK breeding:
40,000 pairs

Identifying features:

This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.

Crossbill (male)

Crossbill, male
Feather colour: Brown Orange Red
Leg colour: Brown
Beak: Black Medium length Curved Chunky
Natural habitats: Woodland

Crossbill (female)

Female common crossbill
Feather colour: Brown Cream/buff Green Grey Yellow
Leg colour: Brown
Beak: Black Medium length Curved Hooked Powerful Chunky
Natural habitats: Woodland

Similar birds:

Male parrot crossbill
Parrot crossbill
Scottish crossbill male
Scottish crossbill

Where and when to see them

The crossbill are an irruptive species and may be numerous and widespread in some years, less so in others. Established breeding areas include the Scottish Highlands, the North Norfolk coast, Breckland, the New Forest and the Forest of Dean. It regularly comes down to pools to drink.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Crossbill distribution map

The crossbill can be seen all year round. In irruption years, birds will arrive from the Continent from late summer, often staying to breed.

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