Parrot crossbill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Parrot crossbill |
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| Male parrot crossbill | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Loxia
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| Species: |
pytyopsittacus
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The parrot crossbill (Loxia pytyopsittacus) is a small bird from the finch family. It lives and has its babies in pine forests across northern and northeastern Europe. These birds are known for their special beaks, which cross at the tips. This helps them get seeds out of pine cones.
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About the Parrot Crossbill
What's in a Name?
A German scientist named Moritz Balthasar Borkhausen first officially described the parrot crossbill in 1793. He gave it the scientific name Loxia pytyopsittacus.
The name Loxia comes from an old Greek word meaning "crosswise." This is because crossbills have a special beak where the top and bottom parts cross over each other. The second part of its name, pytyopsittacus, means "pine parrot." This tells us it loves pine trees and has a strong beak like a parrot.
How to Spot One
Parrot crossbills can be tricky to tell apart from other types of crossbills. Male parrot crossbills are usually red or orange. Females are typically green or yellow. However, their colors can vary a lot!
This bird is a bit bigger than other crossbills. It measures about 16 to 18 centimeters (6 to 7 inches) long. Its wings can spread out from 27 to 31 centimeters (11 to 12 inches) wide. It's also quite heavy, weighing around 44 to 58 grams (1.5 to 2 ounces).
Beak and Call
The parrot crossbill has a larger head and a thicker beak compared to its relatives. Its crossed beak tips are sometimes hard to see. The best way to identify this bird is by its deep, strong call, which sounds like choop or tyuup.
Where They Live
Parrot crossbills live in the pine forests of northwest Europe and western Russia. There's also a small group of them in Scotland. This makes it even harder to tell them apart from other crossbills that live in the same areas.
These birds usually stay in one place. But if their food supply runs low, they might fly south or west to find more food.
Daily Life and Food
Outside of the breeding season, parrot crossbills often gather in flocks. Sometimes, these flocks include other types of crossbills.
Eating Pine Cones
Parrot crossbills are special eaters. They mostly eat seeds from conifer cones. Their unusual beak shape is perfectly designed to help them pull seeds out of these cones. The parrot crossbill especially loves to eat seeds from Scots pine cones.
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Egg of Loxia pytyopsittacus from the MHNT museum
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