Parrot Crossbill
Loxia pytyopsittacus (von Borkhausen, 1793)
PC
PARCR
16680
Family: Passeriformes > Fringillidae
Separating Parrot Crossbill from Common and Scottish Crossbills is challenging. The Parrot Crossbill is bulkier and has a subtly different call.
Most interactions between Parrot Crossbill and birdwatchers occur during winter when the species occasionally irrupts from its native northern Europe in search of pine seed. Most UK 'invasions' of Parrot Crossbill number in the tens of individuals.
There is a small breeding population of Parrot Crossbill in the Caledonian pine forest of north-east Scotland. The winter range is similarly restricted.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Parrot Crossbill
Identification
Parrot Crossbill identification is often difficult.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Parrot Crossbill, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
Song
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Amber listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | Yes |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(I,IV), Bern(III) |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (breeding) | 65 Pairs (2008) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Suffolk, 1818 |
POPULATION CHANGE
This species is occasionally recorded in the UK during 'irruption' years when large numbers of crossbills arrive from Scandinavia. Large irruptions occurred in 1962/63 and 1982/83. The first confirmed breeding record in the UK occurred in 1984 in Norfolk (Catley & Hursthouse 1985). Re-assessment of previous Crossbill records in Scotland from specimens indicates that Parrot Crossbill were scarce during the twentieth century but a survey of Crossbills in Scotland in 2008 found around 100 Parrot Crossbills (Summers & Buckland 2011) suggesting that a possible change of status may have occurred. However, this is unclear as the records may relate to an irruption year: hence, further information is needed to confirm the status of this species in the UK.
DISTRIBUTION
Parrot Crossbill is a rare resident of ancient native pinewoods and large plantations in northern and northeastern Scotland. Identification issues make getting an accurate picture of the species' breeding distribution tricky. During the breeding season of 2008–11
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 9 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.3 |
| No. occupied in winter | 5 |
| % occupied in winter | 0.2 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | --55.6% |
SEASONALITY
Parrot Crossbill is a very rare resident and rare autumn vagrant.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Parrot Crossbill, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
First Clutches Laid
|
20 Mar ( – )
|
|
Number of Broods
|
1 (2) |
|
Egg Size
|
23×17 mm Weight = 3.3 g (of which 5% is shell) |
|
Clutch Size
|
3–4 eggs | 3.86 ± 0.69 (2–5) N=7
|
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
B+* |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: PC | 5-letter code: PARCR | Euring: 16680 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Catalan: trencapinyes becgròs
Czech: krivka velká
Danish: Stor Korsnæb
Dutch: Grote Kruisbek
Estonian: männi-käbilind
Finnish: isokäpylintu
French: Bec-croisé perroquet
German: Kiefernkreuzschnabel
Hungarian: nagy keresztcsoru
Icelandic: Pánefur
Italian: Crociere delle pinete
Latvian: priežu krustknabis, priežu putns
Lithuanian: pušinis kryžiasnapis
Norwegian: Furukorsnebb
Polish: krzyzodziób sosnowy
Portuguese: cruza-bico-papagaio
Slovak: krivonos sosnový
Slovenian: veliki krivokljun
Spanish: Piquituerto lorito
Swedish: större korsnäbb
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Parrot Crossbill from BTO scientists.
CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS
Causes of change
It is not yet clear whether the status of Parrot Crossbill has changed and whether it has become a more regular breeding species in the UK. Crossbill populations are prone to fluctuations following 'irruption' years, and the recent high counts in Scotland may relate to an irruption and may not represent a longer term change of status for this species.
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Forestry thinning in commercial conifer plantations has little effect on bird species richness and breeding abundance
- Farmland birds and late winter food: does seed supply fail to meet demand?
- Could game management have a role in the conservation of farmland passerines? A case study from a Leicestershire farm
Read more studies about Parrot Crossbill on Conservation Evidence >
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