9 Two-barred Crossbills (4+ males) at Broomhead today (per RBA).
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| Male Two-barred Crossbill phone-scoped at Broomhead yesterday - Roy Twigg |
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| The possible (male) Parrot Crossbill at Broomhead recently - feel free to give us your thoughts on this crossbill conundrum. |
Dave Hursthouse has kindly offered the following opinion on the above (Parrot) Crossbill photo;-
Ignore head shape and bulk as the image does not offer any obvious clues, other than little forehead, good for Parrot. Bill base bulky, lower mandible swollen, tip blunt and not extensive, all good for Parrot. Upper mandible with extensive tip with little sign of wear, not good! - possible explanation, this years bird moulted out to adult male, therefore little wear through feeding, though would a calender-year adult have such an extensive tip? The plumage does not offer and certain clues to its age, though it looks in good condition. Certainly wouldn't accept it as a Parrot on the this image alone, but personally think its a fair candidate and worthy of further investigation, especially looking at the recent distribution picture of Parrots in the UK. Initially found in eastern counties, up to about 20 miles inland, in recent weeks they have however, become more widespread extending into inland counties, seen in North Notts since Sunday. Personally feel some must be present in the Broomhead area!! Single Parrots or small numbers are not easy to find, whereas the larger flocks often seem to like their own company and favour certain feeding trees, until exhausted. Single or small numbers of Parrots may be found associating with Common flocks. thus making them more difficult to get to grips with. Wherever the image of the possible Parrot was taken that's where to begin looking. Dave Hursthouse.
1 comment:
I Havn't seen Parrot Crossbill for about eleven years. On what I can remember and what I have picked up from literature I would say that this is a very good contender.
The bill is certainly larger than Common (Red) Crossbill and there does appear to be a sharp curve at the tip on the lower mandible. It looks more 'bull-necked' than Common. Additionally there appears to be little forehead on this individual. The only negative is that the lower mandible does appear to have little depth; but looking a the image through a magnifyimg glass this may be due to 'camera angle'.
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