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Common Crossbill (Balearic)

Loxia Curvirostra Balearica

Quick Facts

Classification

Scientific name:

Loxia Curvirostra Balearica

Family:

Finches

Measurements

Length:

15cm to 17cm

Wingspan:

27cm to 30cm

Weight:

40g to 53g

Other birds in the Finches family

The Crossbill has its own subspecies on the Island named the Balearic Crossbill. It is a resident breeding species which is quite abundant and can be found all over the Island where there are suitable pine woods. Formentor has good numbers but so does the Ternelles and Mondrago. It breeds very early in the season and in the summer the "chip chip" sound can be heard as the youngsters develop. There is a good site at Cassa Velles in the car park where a pool develops after rain but also a pair are normally at the visitors centre at La Gola. If you want to photograph these birds then without doubt Son Real is the place and from the hide on the blue trail, it overlooks a pond where they drink regularly.

Technical description

Crossbill is a genus, Loxia, of birds in the finch family (Fringillidae), with three to five (or possibly many more) species. These birds are characterised by the mandibles with crossed tips, which gives the group its English name. Adult males tend to be red or orange in colour, and females green or yellow, but there is much variation. Crossbills are specialist feeders on conifer cones and the unusual bill shape is an adaptation which enables them to extract seeds from cones. These birds are typically found in higher northern hemisphere latitudes, where their food sources grow. They erupt out of the breeding range when the cone crop fails. Crossbills breed very early in the year, often in winter months, to take advantage of maximum cone supplies.

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Other birds in the Finches family

Twite

Siskin

The siskin is one of the UKs smallest and prettiest resident finches.

Serin

Serins are the smallest European member of the finch family. Rare reports exist of breeding serins in isolated parts of the UK, and small numbers might be seen during migration passage each year, although sightings are not guaranteed.

Scottish Crossbill

Parrot Crossbill

Linnet

This small to medium sized finch is a breeding resident found throughout the UK apart from the far west of northern Scotland. A social bird, it often feeds in flocks throughout the year.

Lesser Redpoll

A tiny finch, only marginally larger than a blue tit, the lesser redpoll is an acrobatic streaky seed-eater, that can be seen all year round throughout Ireland, in much of Wales, northern England and parts of northern and central Scotland.

Hawfinch

Greenfinch

Slightly larger than a sparrow this pretty and social bird is a regular garden visitor.

European Goldfinch

The European goldfinch is common across southern England, and can frequently be seen feeding on the seeds of thistles, teasels and other scrubland vegetation.Goldfinches are enjoying a population boom, with garden visits reported to be up 70 percent on numbers seen 20 years ago.

Common Rosefinch

The common rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) is resident in forest and woodland habitats across northern Europe and Asia, and, as its name suggests, has a plumage marked with various shades of red and pink.

Crossbill

This medium sized finch is a specialised feeder with a chunky downwards curving beak which is crossed at its end giving rise to its descriptive name.

Common Redpoll

A charming, acrobatic finch with a distinctive red patch on its head. They are found across parts of Europe, Asia and northern North America.

Chaffinch

One of the most common birds to visit back gardens in the UK – and also one of the most easy to identify – the chaffinch is a colourful and tuneful finch, known for its cheery, repetitive trilled song. They live in a wide range of habitats, and with more than 5 million breeding pairs, it shouldn’t be too difficult to tick one off your bird spotting list if you know where to look.

Bullfinch

One of the largest and most colourful finches.

Brambling

Although monotypic, the brambling is a close relative of the chaffinch with whom it often flocks. Found almost exclusively across the northern palearctic it migrates south in September returning to its breeding grounds in April each year.

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