Parrot Crossbill

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Pine forest (very rare).
Diet: Pine cones.
Best time to spot: Massive bill; deep call.

When to look

Scarce or local in the UK. Timing varies by region, so check recent sightings before you travel. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Parrot Crossbill sits in our Rare tier for the UK: scarce or very local, so most birders need a planned trip. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Scottish CrossbillEpic · Caledonian pine forest
• Two-barred CrossbillRare · Northern larch forest
• Common CrossbillUncommon · Conifer plantations
• Tengmalm's OwlLegendary · Pine forest (very rare)
• Greater Spotted EagleLegendary · Forest edge (very rare)
• Blyth's Reed WarblerRare · Coastal scrub (very rare)

Kit that helps

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