Parrot Crossbill
Loxia pytyopsittacus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Parrot Crossbill is a robust finch with a distinctive crossed bill. Males are primarily brick-red or orange-red, while females are greenish-grey with brown streaking. Both sexes have dark wings and tails.
Juveniles resemble females but have heavier streaking. The bird's most notable feature is its large, powerful bill with crossed tips, which is larger and more curved than that of other crossbill species.
Size
Length
16cm to 18cm
Wingspan
27cm to 30cm
Weight
40g to 53g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Parrot Crossbills are found in northern Europe, including Scandinavia, Russia, and parts of Scotland. They inhabit mature coniferous forests, with a strong preference for pine woodlands, particularly those dominated by Scots pine.
In the UK, they are primarily found in the Scottish Highlands, where they are year-round residents. During winter, some birds may move southward in search of food, but long-distance migrations are rare.
Elevation Range
Up to 1,000 meters
Climate zones
Subarctic, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Parrot Crossbill. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Parrot Crossbill demonstrates remarkable agility, often hanging upside down whilst feeding on pine cones. Their ability to manoeuvre through treetops and extract seeds from tough cones showcases their nimble nature.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
With a powerful, specialised bill capable of prying open tough pine cones, the Parrot Crossbill possesses considerable strength for its size. Their ability to process up to 50 pine cones per hour indicates significant physical prowess.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These birds show high adaptability, particularly in their feeding habits. Their unique bill structure allows them to exploit food sources unavailable to other species, and they can breed in harsh winter conditions when food is abundant.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Parrot Crossbills are generally not known for aggressive behaviour. They are social birds, often found in small flocks, suggesting a relatively peaceful nature. However, they may display some territoriality during breeding season.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Whilst specific endurance data is limited, their ability to continuously feed on pine cones and their partial migratory behaviour suggest moderate endurance. Their adaptation to subarctic and temperate climates also indicates a fair level of physical resilience.
Diet
Parrot Crossbills primarily feed on seeds of pine trees, especially Scots pine. Their powerful bills are adapted to pry open tough pine cones, extracting seeds that are inaccessible to other birds. They occasionally supplement their diet with insects and larvae, particularly when feeding young.
Seeds from conifers, pine, spruce, larch, poplar and alder are the most popular food sources.
Behaviour
Parrot Crossbills are highly specialised feeders, using their unique bills to extract seeds from pine cones. They often hang upside down while feeding, demonstrating remarkable agility.
These birds are social, typically found in small flocks, and communicate with soft, trilling calls as they move through the treetops.
Vocalisation
Parrot Crossbills have a distinctive call, described as a loud, metallic 'chup-chup' or 'gip-gip'. Their song is a warbling trill, often delivered from a high perch.
When feeding, they produce soft, continuous chattering sounds, helping to maintain contact within the flock.
Nesting & Breeding
Parrot Crossbills typically breed from late winter to early spring, with timing often linked to pine cone abundance. Pairs form during this period, engaging in courtship displays that include males feeding females.
Nests are built high in pine trees, constructed mainly of twigs, grass, and moss, and lined with softer materials. Females lay 3-4 eggs, which can vary in colour from shades of yellowish-white to pale green and are marked with rust-coloured or purple-brown splodges.
Incubation lasts about 14-16 days, and it is performed primarily by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, which fledge after approximately 18-22 days but remain dependent on adults for several weeks after that.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, Parrot Crossbills face threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting mature pine forests, particularly in northern Europe, to maintain suitable breeding and feeding habitats for these specialised birds.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Parrot Crossbills in mature pine forests, especially Scots pine.
- Listen for their distinctive 'chup-chup' call as they fly overhead.
- Observe their unique feeding behaviour, watching for birds hanging upside down on pine cones.
- In the UK, focus on Scottish pine forests, where they are most likely to be found.
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Scottish Crossbill
Family:
FringillidaeAverage Lifespan
2 to 5 years
Max Lifespan
6 years [4]
Predators
Main predators include raptors such as Goshawks and Sparrowhawks, as well as Pine Martens and Red Squirrels, which may raid nests for eggs or chicks.
Did You Know?
- Parrot Crossbills can open up to 50 pine cones per hour with their specialised bills.
- They are one of the few bird species that can breed in midwinter, thanks to their pine seed diet.
- The direction of the bill's cross is not fixed and can vary between individuals.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 2 3
website: BirdLife International. 2016. Loxia pytyopsittacus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22720638A88651987.
View source - 4
website, 2010: Fransson, T., Kolehmainen, T., Kroon, C., Jansson, L. & Wenninger, T., EURING list of longevity records for European birds
View source
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