Parrot/Red crossbill female? Bymarka, Trondheim, Norway (1 Viewer)

[maj.sujan]

Only saw one from quite far away. I'm assuming that this one is a parrot crossbill based on the green color. Asking for confirmation and more info on how to identify them.

 

[CARERY]

For me it's a Red (aka Common) Crossbill, the bill is too weak and esp. the bill tip is too much protruding

 

[Butty]

I'm assuming that this one is a parrot crossbill based on the green color

This is not a distinguishing feature.

 

[maj.sujan]

For learning purposes, what features should I look at to distinguish between Red and parrot crossbill?

 

[maj.sujan]

These were taken in March 2021 in the same area.

 

[PYRTLE]

I would be saying Common for the two images of the red bird.......the bill is too small and doesn't go up to the crown, doesn't look bull necked enough for Parrot. There are too many identifyingfeatures that a good field guide will cover rather than a lengthy post here. Also listen to the differentiating calls on xento-canto.

 

[maj.sujan]

I would be saying Common for the two images of the red bird.......the bill is too small and doesn't go up to the crown, doesn't look bull necked enough for Parrot. There are too many identifyingfeatures that a good field guide will cover rather than a lengthy post here. Also listen to the differentiating calls on xento-canto.

Thanks! My go to identification guide is Merlin app when I'm out to see/photograph birds. But as I'm seeing many discussions here, I'm realising that the app doesn't really cover that much info. Local booklets are in Norwegian and I'm not so fluent yet.
Is there any other website/book that you'd recommend?
I didn't really hear any song or call on both instances as they were very far away.

 

[Butty]

A good field guide is an absolute complete and total essential for any half-serious birder.

 

[maj.sujan]

It's a process, quite slow for me but I'm trying to learn more. I have been identifying birds using the Merlin app since I started last November, it worked okay for about 135 species. I may have missed a few more because I didn't know what to look for and the bird was gone within a few seconds. My go to person for any birding related questions is DocDuck, and that's about it. As I'm not fluent in Norwegian, other than checking off new species once in a while, I haven't learned much from the group that I sometimes go birding with.
I will try to find a good field guide for Norwegian birds (in English).
EDIT: I will buy Collins and Lars Jonsson guides.

 

[Butty]

Your birding life is set to change radically and forever

 

[PYRTLE]

As mentioned, a Field Guide should be the way forward, all of us "old school" birdwatchers have amassed many field guides and monographs over the last 50 years and spent every spare moment reading and studying them. The Collins remains one of the very best in the present era whereby the observer subsequently identifies the subject through knowledge and experience not some techno piece of gadgetry. I'm sure you'll enjoy the challenge and subsequent satisfaction.