Common Crossbill
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Seen one? Add it to your free UK BirdedexHear its song and see the mapFree, no app download. Uncommon bird: +3 points when you log it.
Habitat and behaviour
Habitat: Conifer plantations.
Diet: Conifer seeds.
Best time to spot: Crossed bill prises cones.
When to look
Resident in the UK, so it can be found year-round. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.
How rare is it?
The Common Crossbill sits in our Uncommon tier for the UK: regular, but you usually need the right place or the right season. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.
Where to see it
Reserves where the Common Crossbill is on the list:
Recent UK sightings
No community sightings logged for this species yet. Log the first one.
Similar birds
- Parrot CrossbillRare · Pine forest (very rare)
- Scottish CrossbillEpic · Caledonian pine forest
- Two-barred CrossbillRare · Northern larch forest
- Long-eared OwlRare · Conifer plantations
- Arctic RedpollRare · Birch
- Black GrouseRare · Moorland fringe
Kit that helps
Bird ID starter kit. Affiliate links, our own picks, no extra cost to you.
Log a Common Crossbill in your free UK Birdedex