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.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Two-barred Crossbill
SEASONALITY
BTO RECORDS
SEASONALITY
BTO RECORDS
Identification
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.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
Cumbria, 1845 (Down 1802) |
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.
-
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 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 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Testing agri-environment delivery for farmland birds at the farm scale: the Hillesden experiment
- Evaluating the English Higher Level Stewardship scheme for farmland birds
- Forestry thinning in commercial conifer plantations has little effect on bird species richness and breeding abundance
Read more studies about Two-barred Crossbill on Conservation Evidence >
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