Two-barred Crossbill
Loxia leucoptera (JF Gmelin, 1789)
PD
TWBCR
16650
Family: Passeriformes > Fringillidae
Similar in appearance to Common Crossbill but with broad white wingbars and a distinctive call, this is a scarce, but irregular immigrant to Britain & Ireland from north-eastern Europe.
Annual numbers are highly variable, and there can be years where we see significant influxes.
Identification
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Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
DISTRIBUTION
Greenfinches are widely distributed in winter and the breeding season, perhaps showing especially strong associations with villages and towns across Britain & Ireland. Like the Goldfinch, the only significant range gaps for this species are in the higher parts of northern Scotland. Highest densities are found on lower ground, mainly in south and southeast England, eastern Scotland and in pockets throughout Ireland.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
No. occupied in winter | 1 |
% occupied in winter | 0.03 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
There have been small range expansions in winter and the breeding season. Population reductions due to trichomonosis had not led to range contractions bu 2007–11.
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 Two-barred Crossbill, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
Field Codes ![]() |
2-letter: PD | 5-letter code: TWBCR | Euring: 16650 |
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Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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