© Photo by John Bridges Crossbill Loxia curvirostra The Crossbill is a large finch of conifer woodlands; so-named for its bizarre cross-tipped bill, which it uses skilfully to prise out and eat the seeds from pine cones. © Photo by Stefan Johansson The Crossbill feeds by flying from cone to cone, and can most often be seen in larges flocks near the treetops, although it regularly comes down to pools to drink. It is resident all year-round, but some years are ‘irruption’ years when it becomes widespread and numerous as it is joined by Continental birds looking for food and which may stay to breed. Crossbills nest in conifer trees, constructing small cups out of twigs and moss, and lining them with hair. How to Identify Crossbills are difficult to spot as they spend most of their time at the top of pine trees. They have distinctive crossed bills and forked tails; males are brick-red, females olive-green with a yellow rump. Two similar species include the Parrot Crossbill which is slightly larger with a heavier bill, and the Scottish Crossbill which is endemic to Scots Pine woods in Scotland and has a slightly smaller bill. Where to Find Widespread in conifer forests. How People Can Help The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for all kinds of birds from Crossbills to Goldcrests, Nuthatches to Whitethroats. You can help too: volunteer for The Wildlife Trusts and you could be involved in everything from traditional forest crafts to raising awareness about birds. Did you know? Crossbills nest very early in the year, hatching their chicks in February and March to take advantage of the new crop of pine cones. They have even been known to breed all year-round when there are good cone crops. Key FactsLength: 17cmWingspan: 29cmWeight: 43gAverage Lifespan: 2 years Donate Donate to help support Crossbills and other wildlife. Donate Similar Species Barn Owl Birds Black-Headed Gull Birds Blackbird Birds Blackcap Birds Blue Tit Birds Bullfinch Birds Buzzard Birds Canada Goose Birds Carrion Crow Birds Chaffinch Birds Chiffchaff Birds Coal Tit Birds Collared Dove Birds Coot Birds Cuckoo Birds Curlew Birds Dipper Birds Dunnock Birds Fieldfare Birds Goldcrest Birds Golden Plover Birds Goldfinch Birds Goosander Birds Great Spotted Woodpecker Birds Great Tit Birds Greenfinch Birds Grey Heron Birds Grey Wagtail Birds Hen Harrier Birds Herring Gull Birds House Sparrow Birds Jackdaw Birds Jay Birds Kestrel Birds Kingfisher Birds Lapwing Birds Linnet Birds Little Egret Birds Little Grebe Birds Long-Tailed Tit Birds Magpie Birds Mallard Birds Mandarin Duck Birds Meadow Pipit Birds Merlin Birds Mistle Thrush Birds Moorhen Birds Nightjar Birds Nuthatch Birds Peregrine falcon Birds Redwing Birds Robin Birds Rook Birds Siskin Birds Skylark Birds Snipe Birds Song Thrush Birds Sparrowhawk Birds Starling Birds Swallow Birds Swift Birds Tawny owl Birds Tree Sparrow Birds Treecreeper Birds Waxwing Birds Wheatear Birds Whitethroat Birds Willow Warbler Birds Wood Pigeon Birds Wood Warbler Birds Wren Birds