Parrot Crossbill

Loxia pytyopsittacus

Parrot Crossbill

Parrot Crossbill

Quick Facts

Classification

Scientific name:

Loxia pytyopsittacus

Family:

Finches

Conservation status:

Amber

Measurements

Length:

16cm to 18cm

Wingspan:

30cm to 34cm

Weight:

48g to 61g

About the Parrot Crossbill

The parrot crossbill is a large and powerful member of the finch family, extremely similar to the crossbill and Scottish crossbill. They have a similar bill structure to both of these birds, but have a call that is much deeper and distinctive - this is the best way to separate them.

Males are orange to red colour with darkish wings and tails. Females are grey or olive-green in colour. Both have sharp forked tails and parrot-like bills.

The parrot crossbill flared up in Britain after the corn crop failure in parts of Europe and has bred away from Abernethy Forest where they have a stronghold.

What does a Parrot Crossbill eat?

Their diets consist of conifer seeds, mainly pine. In the breeding season they'll eat insects too.

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Learn more about the Parrot Crossbill

Other birds in the Finches family

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