Parrot Crossbill
NameParrot Crossbill
Common NameParrot Crossbill
Scientific NameLoxia pytyopsittacus
FamilyFringillidae
Wingspan (cm)33
Length (cm)17
Weight (g)49
Plumage DetailsAdult males are predominantly brick-red to orange-red with darker greyish-brown wings and tail. Females are duller, yellowish-green with greyish-brown wings and tail, often with streaking on the flanks. Juveniles are streaky brown.
Vocalization / CallIts call is a distinctive, deep, hard 'chip-chip' or 'chup-chup' often described as sounding like 'tup-tup' or 'choop-choop', heavier and lower-pitched than other crossbills.
Primary Dietgranivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds across northern Europe, including Scandinavia, the Baltic states, and western Russia, extending eastwards into Siberia. Some irruptive movements occur.
Identifying Featureslarge, stout, crossed bill, large head, brick-red plumage (male), yellowish-green plumage (female), deep 'chip-chip' call
Description
A large, stout-billed finch specializing in conifer seeds. Males are brick-red, while females are yellowish-green, both featuring a distinctive crossed bill adapted for extracting seeds from cones.
