Spotlight on crossbills

 
Look at that unmistakeable crossed bill! It’s perfectly adapted to extracting seeds from pine cones.

If you’re lucky enough to be able to visit a local heath on your daily exercise, keep an eye out for crossbills. These distinctive, chunky finches often call to each other with a ‘jip jip’ from the top of pine trees. They descend to puddles for a drink, where you can get a better look at the yellowy-green females and red males.

They’re early breeders, often nesting in January.

Michael
Education & Engagement Officer

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