John Cantelo
Well-known member
Interesting learning curve yesterday seeing my first Parrot Crossbill. I've seen 'large-billed' crossbill previously in Scotland, but didn't list them as, to my mind without plenty of comparative experience, a local guide or a sonogram, it's probably not safe to identify them to species level. (That said the birds in Scotland didn't have such large bills as the Parrots I saw here in Kent .....)
Exactly how many Parrot Crossbill are present at Hempsted is a matter of debate. I saw at least two - a male and female - although I only had good views of a male (possibly a third bird). This was a very heavily built bird with an obviously thick bull neck and a massive bulbous bill. According to one observer who'd recently seen the Essex birds these Parrots made the Shoeburyness birds look like whimps. A surprisingly distinctive bird once seen well. Put it this way, Mrs C who's not a birder had absolutely no problem picking out the Parrot Crossbill from the Commons.
Interestingly amongst the Commons were some birds which initially made you suck your teeth and wonder. Although in no way as heavy billed as the 'obvious' Parrots, they had subtly more bulbous and heavier bills than most Commons. Were they young Parrots or some other larger billed race? I'm really not sure. Conversely some Common Crossbills had bills a similar size to that of the Two-barred Crossbill! I gather that estimates of Parrots at the site vary from 12+ to 4 (and it was a very long wait to get good views).
The bottom line is that I would encourage everyone to get out and have a very hard look at any crossbill flocks in your locality. I really think that you've a good chance of finding the odd Parrot Crossbill if you're lucky or patient. Even if you don't find a 100% Parrot Crossbill (or a Two-barred) then you will at least find it an interesting learning experience. If anyone can get shots of the variety of bill sizes out there, then it'd be interesting to see them posted here.
Exactly how many Parrot Crossbill are present at Hempsted is a matter of debate. I saw at least two - a male and female - although I only had good views of a male (possibly a third bird). This was a very heavily built bird with an obviously thick bull neck and a massive bulbous bill. According to one observer who'd recently seen the Essex birds these Parrots made the Shoeburyness birds look like whimps. A surprisingly distinctive bird once seen well. Put it this way, Mrs C who's not a birder had absolutely no problem picking out the Parrot Crossbill from the Commons.
Interestingly amongst the Commons were some birds which initially made you suck your teeth and wonder. Although in no way as heavy billed as the 'obvious' Parrots, they had subtly more bulbous and heavier bills than most Commons. Were they young Parrots or some other larger billed race? I'm really not sure. Conversely some Common Crossbills had bills a similar size to that of the Two-barred Crossbill! I gather that estimates of Parrots at the site vary from 12+ to 4 (and it was a very long wait to get good views).
The bottom line is that I would encourage everyone to get out and have a very hard look at any crossbill flocks in your locality. I really think that you've a good chance of finding the odd Parrot Crossbill if you're lucky or patient. Even if you don't find a 100% Parrot Crossbill (or a Two-barred) then you will at least find it an interesting learning experience. If anyone can get shots of the variety of bill sizes out there, then it'd be interesting to see them posted here.
Last edited: