- Loxia pytyopsittacus
Identification
The Parrot Crossbill (Loxia pytyopsittacus) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae.
This bird gets its name from the parrot-like proportions of its massive bill. In all plumages it looks very much like a Crossbill and therefore can only be identified by looking carefully at the exact shape of its bill. Apart from being bigger, the bill also looks squarer since it is deeper, relatively shorter and angled more vertically at the tips. The lower mandible has an obvious bulge which gives the bill a distorted look. Adult males tend to be red or orange in colour, and females green or yellow, but there is much variation.
This species is difficult to separate from Common and Scottish Crossbills, and plumage distinctions are negligible. The head and bill are larger than in either of the other species. The bill is thicker than those of its relatives, and the crossed tips are often not readily apparent. Extreme care is needed to identify this species. The deeper, harder choop or tyuup call is probably the best indicator.
Distribution
This bird breeds in the pine forests of northwest Europe and into western Russia. There is also a small population in Scotland, adding to the difficulty of distinguishing it from Common Crossbill and the endemic Scottish Crossbill, both of which breed within its range.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Breeds and winters in coniferous plantations and woodlands with a preference for pines.
Behaviour
They are specialist feeders on conifer cones, and the unusual bill shape is an adaptation to assist the extraction of the seeds from the cone. The Parrot Crossbill is a specialist feeder on the cones of Scots pine.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Loxia pytyopsittacus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
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