Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra
Status: Widespread resident in fluctuating numbers throughout Ireland, mainly in conifer plantations.
Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population is considered to be Secure.
Identification: Larger than a House Sparrow, with heavy, thick set body and head. Tail short, noticable fork. Distinctive heavy bill has tips crossed. Male brick red, brighter on the rump, young males are variable, orange or yellow, streked but with bright rump. Females are greenish and streked. Apart from visiting pools or ponds to drink, spends most of its time in the canopy of conifers. Flocks distinctive in flight, strong and undulating, short tail with fork and distinctive, metallic, chipping call.
Call: The main call, which is frequently given in flight is a distinctive repeated “glipp-glipp-glipp”. The song is a quiet twitter, which is only rarely heard. Note that young Greenfinches in late-summer have a similar call frequently given in flight.
Diet: Conifer seeds form the bulk of the diet, particularly Norway Spruce but also Sitka Spruce and Larch.
Breeding: Almost always breeds and feeds in coniferous woodland, mainly Scots Pine and Larch. Together with the Raven, Crossbills are one of the first birds to start breeding in the year (February/March).s.
Wintering: Crossbill movements are dependant on availability of pine cones.
Where to See: Coniferous woodlands throughout Ireland, for example Coronation Plantation in Co. Wicklow, Union Wood in Co. Sligo and Gosford Forest Park in Co. Armagh. Numbers of Crossbills fluctuate and may be absent from sites where common previously.
Mohosin Ali Angur
Sabdar Ali Market, Boro Bazar, Main Road, Meherpur, Bangladesh. Mobile: 01558-406298, E-mail: editor@mujibnagarkhabor.com
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