adult male

adult male adult female European distribution

Identification

The name 'two-barred' refers to the two bold white bars easily visible in the wing when the birds are perched. Beware, however, that a very small proportion of Crossbills also show pale wingbars but these are usually narrow lines compared with the broad white wing bars of Two-barred. In addition, Two-barred is more raspberry-red and the scapulars and tail-coverts have darker centres.

Habitat

Breeds and winters in coniferous plantations and woodlands with a preference for larches.

Migration

Irruptions occur when then is insufficient food (larch cones) in the main breeding areas in Russia. This may cause thousands to appear in Scandinavia where they usually switch to feeding on Norway Spruce.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Two-barred Crossbill is classed as Rare: species currently considered for acceptance by the British Birds Rarities Committee (or forms of equivalent rarity).

The Lodge, Sandy, Beds 27/03/2010	The Lodge, Sandy, Beds 27/03/2010	Bilsdale, N Yorks 22/11/2008	Bilsdale, N Yorks 22/11/2008	Bilsdale, N Yorks 22/11/2008
Bilsdale, N Yorks 22/11/2008	Bilsdale, N Yorks 22/11/2008	Bilsdale, N Yorks 22/11/2008	Bilsdale, N Yorks 22/11/2008	Bilsdale, N Yorks 19/11/2008

 View all pictures of Two-barred Crossbill

This species has been reported in the following areas (Bird News Extra subscribers can click a county name for more details):

Two-barred Crossbill breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Finland
Norway
Russia
Sweden

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob16650.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Two-barred Crossbill	Edit this link
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