Scottish Crossbill
Loxia scotica
Crossed bill tips give crossbills their name. Only found in pine forests of Scotland, where uncommon and local. As a rule, not safely identified in the field because it looks intermediate between smaller-billed Common (Red) Crossbill and bigger-billed Parrot Crossbill (both of which can occur in same areas). With experience (and computer analysis!), may be identified by voice. Like other crossbills, found in pairs or flocks feeding quietly on pine cones or calling excitedly before taking off in wide-ranging, bounding flight. Male plumage reddish overall; female grayish green overall, with brighter rump.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Loxia scotica
- Authority
- Hartert, EJO, 1904
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Genus
- Loxia
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- PAL : insular w Palearctic in lowland Scots pine: n, ne Scotland (n British Is.)
- Non-breeding range
- locally to other conifer types
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Bengal Bushlark
Plocealauda assamica
Small, stocky brown terrestrial bird with a relatively short tail. Note stout bill with slightly downcurved upper edge; also streaky back, speckled chest, buffy-pale underparts, and rufous panel in the wing. May be confused with other bushlarks with which it overlaps in range; averages darker, with less contrast between upperparts and underparts. Inhabits open plains and fields, sometimes with scattered shrubs and bushes. Gives buzzy repetitive song in flight, on the ground, or from a perch.
Equatorial Antpitta
Grallaria saturata
Plump, short-tailed, and long-legged bird found in Andean cloud forest in Ecuador, northern Peru, and the central Andes of Colombia; also known from one site in Colombia’s eastern Andes. Plumage is chestnut-brown with a slightly paler belly. Smaller and plainer than other highland antpittas in its range. Stays low inside high elevation cloud forest and heard far more often than seen. Songs include a short, whistled “wit, wi-di-dit” and a descending trill. Formerly called Rufous Antpitta.
Common Jery
Neomixis tenella
Small, energetic, sharp-billed warbler. Always shows gray on the back of the neck and usually a lightly striped throat, though there is regional variation. Madagascar endemic that is found in all habitats with some woody vegetation, including forest, scrub, savanna, plantations, and villages. Often joins flocks with other small bird species. Song is a squeaky, bouncing series of high notes. Gray on the back of the neck separates it from all other jeries. Larger and brighter than Green Jery. Smaller than Stripe-throated Jery, with pale legs.
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