Appearance:

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

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

Collage 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.

Appearance:

Easy to identify when seen in mountainous habitat where Rock Pipit does not occur, but harder when occasionally seen at the coast where both species may be present. Told from Rock Pipit by: Contrasting, double wing-bars, unstreaked belly (and only modestly streaked flanks), brownish rump, broad supercilium, paler underwing and pure white outer tail feathers. Summer plumage with more strongly coloured buff or pinkish underparts and greyer upperparts, but difficult to identify when plumage worn.

Sound:

Similar to Rock Pipit. Song slightly more melodious, often with Tree Pipit like glissandi at end of phrase. Contact call sharper and more drawn.

Song:

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

Featherbase

CC

CC-photo:Betty van Middelkoop, Licence,Link.

CC-sound:Jarek Matusiak, Licence,Link.