Bird Guide

Parrot Crossbill vs Two-barred Crossbill

Parrot Crossbill (Loxia pytyopsittacus)

Parrot Crossbill

Loxia pytyopsittacus

Small53 gForest

Adult males tend to be red or orange in colour, and females green or yellow, but there is much variation. This species is difficult to separate from red and Scottish crossbills, and plumage distinctions are negligible. It is slightly larger than other crossbills, measuring 16 to 18 cm (6.3 to 7.1 in) long and spanning 27 to 31 cm (11 to 12 in) across the wings. It is quite bulky and heavy weighing from 44 to 58.2 g (1.55 to 2.05 oz), with an average of 53 g (1.9 oz). The head and bill are larger than in either of the other species.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Max Karlsson · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Oskila · Public domain
Two-barred Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera)

Two-barred Crossbill

Loxia leucoptera

Small29 gForest

The two-barred crossbill is 14.5–17 cm (5.7–6.7 in) in length and weighs 25–40 g (0.88–1.41 oz). It has short legs, a forked tail, a crossed bill and two prominent white wing-bars. The male of the nominate subspecies has forehead, crown, nape and upper-parts bright raspberry-red. The scapulars are black or blackish brown with pink edges. The upper tail coverts are black with white fringes. The female lacks the pink and instead has greenish-yellow head and upperparts.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recording: Max Karlsson · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: dalebro · CC BY 4.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Parrot Crossbill and Two-barred Crossbill.