Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | Species | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 (1/1000th sec at f9. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)  (1/1000th sec at f9. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings) DescriptionL 15 - 17cm The Crossbill is a chunky finch with a large head and bill, which is crossed over at the tips. This crossed bill is used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Adult males are a distinctive brick-red, and females are greenish-brown. It can be found in most of the UK. Occasionally there are large irruptions from the continent. It breeds in conifer forests, where it prefers Spruce. Crossbills are most often found in noisy family groups or larger flocks, usually flying close to treetop height. They flutter from cone to cone as they feed. It is rated Green on the UK list. Around 40000 pairs breed in the UK. Sightings
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