Scottish Crossbill (Loxia scotica)
Razorbill (Alca torda)
Only in the UK. Similar to Red and Parrot Crossbill in plumage. Bill size possibly the only visual identification clue, but even this overlaps with the other two species. Bill is usually deeper and heavier than Red Crossbill. Certain separation from Parrot Crossbill in the field by visual characters alone, probably not possible. Species status mainly upheld by isolated breeding population and differences in excitement calls from other crossbills. Calls probably play an important role in maintaining the reproduction barrier between Crossbill populations with different bill-size. See Birdlife link below for more info.
Sound:Calls very similar to Parrot Crossbill, and sonogram analysis may be needed for certain identification. Flight and excitement calls show most unique quality. Sonogram image above by Ron Summers (used with permission). A detailed article about crossbill calls can be found here.
Distribution:Xeno-canto: map
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCCollage photo By Richard Crossley (The Crossley ID Guide Britain and Ireland) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
At a distance quite similar to Guillemot. Bill deep, rectangular and with white markings. Flanks unstreaked and armpits white. Tail longer than in Guillemot, with legs not protruding behind tail in flight. Tail often held clear of the surface when swimming. Cheeks white in winter, with broad, short and black eye stripe. Neck collar short and wide. Upperparts blacker, and underparts whiter than Guillemot. Heavy neck, head and bill, in combination with the long tail, gives it a front heavy, and different profile from Guillemot, whether perched, swimming or flying. Top of head in line with tip of uptilted bill when swimming.
Sound:Very coarse and deep voice. Grunting or snore-like, with little phrasing. Mostly heard at breeding ground, but also sometimes at sea.
Contact call:
Distribution:
Wikipedia: map (se also Xeno-canto below)
Ecology:Birdlife ecology
Links:
Observation.org Latest observations
Image search Flickr NB! May give other species
CCSounds:Recorded by Simon Elliott,http://www.xeno-canto.org ,CC license