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Parrot Crossbill

Loxia pytyopsittacus

A master of pine cone extraction, this finch uses its uniquely crossed bill to pry open tough seeds with surgical precision.
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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

Colours

Primary Colour

Red Green Grey

Secondary Colour

Brown

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Brown

Primary Colour (Female)

Green Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

Brown

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Parrot Crossbill can be found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Parrot Crossbill is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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