Crossbill, Chatsworth,Derbyshire 23/11/13 (1 Viewer)

[michael23]

Hi all posted this set of pics in the derbyshire thread and it has produced some interesting debate.

So I thought I would put it in here.

It is the bird in the top right

 

[Giroud Marc]

For me, the female is a Common Crossbill... But the male appear to have a more strong bill. This structure can suggest the Parrot Crossbill, but I'm not convinced by this identification due to the less bulbous aspect of the bill and the slimmer structure of the bird. And so, a strong Common Crossbill ? A slimmer Parrot ? or a Scottish ?

 

[John Cantelo]

For me, the female is a Common Crossbill... But the male appear to have a more strong bill. This structure can suggest the Parrot Crossbill, but I'm not convinced by this identification due to the less bulbous aspect of the bill and the slimmer structure of the bird. And so, a strong Common Crossbill ? A slimmer Parrot ? or a Scottish ?

Given that I first saw Parrot Crossbill only a few weeks ago, I'm possibly not the best judge. However, the birds I saw certainly had much fatter more bulbous bills than those in the photos as per Marc's comment.

 

[Jane Turner]

What does it sound like is the important question

 

[Gomphus]

Be aware here that in that original pic, it is only the top right male that has raised a slight question, the rest are AFAIK the Common Crossbills that have been around for a few days. I, on this image, am leaning towards a hefty billed Common, but I am wary of the angle of the photograph. Tried to see the flock today to see if this individual was still there and failed, no Crossbills at all this pm..... :-(

 

[JHDraytonbassettpits]

For me, the female is a Common Crossbill... But the male appear to have a more strong bill. This structure can suggest the Parrot Crossbill, but I'm not convinced by this identification due to the less bulbous aspect of the bill and the slimmer structure of the bird. And so, a strong Common Crossbill ? A slimmer Parrot ? or a Scottish ?

To far South for Scottish Crossbill

 

[michael23]

Thanks for the comments everyone, it is only the top right bird which raised a discussion.

As for sound, I will need to listen to calls of parrot and common to compare. I have other pics which I will sort out and post as soon as I can.

 

[michael23]

Some more pics

The bird in the set of 2 pics was photographed before the other one in question. Not sure if the bottom left bird in the set of 5 is the same bird. There were 3 males that I counted in the flock

 

[Giroud Marc]

With the new pictures... For me, all are Common Crossbill.

 

[michael23]

Thank you.