Parrot Crossbill? (1 Viewer)

[Andy Adcock]

We saw this bird and another on our local patch here in St Petersburg, Russia a couple of years ago.

Timing coincided with the Parrot Crossbill movement in Europe which saw an influx in to the UK.

Common Crossbill is common on site and It's only recently that we were looking at old pics and came across this bull necked, deep billed bird.

Andy

 

[Nutcracker]

Yep! (unless it's a Scottish Crossbill of course 3)

 

[chris butterworth]

It does look rather 'bull necked' but the curve of the culmen appears to be better for Red / Common. Most Parrot have a more 'square' upper mandible with the culmen running straightish from the forehead before turning sharply downward to the tip. Having said that, there is a great deal of individual difference in Loxia bill shapes and good, protracted views from all angles are needed to be sure.

 

[Andy Adcock]

It seems to show the white cutting edges to the bill associated with Parrot?

Attached is one of our local Common Crossbills for comparison.

Andy

 

[chris butterworth]

The only problem with the pale cutting edges is "Are they really pale, or is it reflection?" When the Parrots bred for the first time in the UK you could get very close views of them at their drinking puddle in Wells carpark and, even then, in good light, they weren't always obvious. On a single photo I'd leave it as Crossbill ? sp.

 

[CJW]

Unlikely to be reflection given the position of the light source and the visible side of the bill being in shade.

 

[Andy Adcock]

Thanks guys,
based on physical characteristics and allied to the timing which saw a huge movement of Parrots through Western Europe, I'm inclined towards Parrot.

The bill which, whilst I agree there is a lot of variation, is too sturdy for most Common Crossbills and does show white cutting edges plus the actual build of the bird, I believe lean towards Parrot rather than Common.

A pity it's not a more unanimous opinion, I would like to hear from some of our Scandinavian friends who may have more experience with Parrot Crossbill.


Andy

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Perhaps there's a lot to be said for 191 views, and only one firm opinion expressed!

 

[Andy Adcock]

Perhaps there's a lot to be said for 191 views, and only one firm opinion expressed!

I've seen opinions expressed on much worse pics than this!

Andy

 

[Mark Lew1s]

Yes, but it's not the quality of the picture that's the issue - its the fact that crossbills are a bloody nightmare. I suspect that if your bird was 'do-able' from your photo, more than one person would have said so by now.