Bird and Wildlife Guiding in Scotland
  • Home
  • About
    • Highland Nature
    • Your Guide
    • Costs
  • Excursions
    • Calendar
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn/Winter
  • Breaks
    • April/May 2021
    • June 2021
    • September 2021
    • October 2021
    • Mid-Week Breaks
    • Outer Hebrides 2021
    • Exclusive Bespoke Breaks
    • Bespoke Breaks
  • NEWS
  • Contact
  • Calendar
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • Links

Crossbill Conundrum

7/5/2014

0 Comments

 
The question I am asked probably more than any other is "What about Scottish Crossbill" ? Well yes, it is still a species on the British List but the question is "How do you identify it!!?" The truthful answer to that is "You can't, on field characteristics alone." The bill size overlaps with large-billed Commons and small-billed Parrots, both of which are regularly found in Strathspey. Are you still with me! The only recognised way of identifying a "Scotbill" is by analysing call through a sonogram. Large billed unidentifiable birds are often now referred to as Scottish Parrot Crossbill, though true Parrot Crossbill should be relatively straightforward to identify on bill and structure. Some are still happy to tick Scottish Crossbill by hedging a guess, it depends how particular you are about listing!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    John Poyner.

    Archives

    January 2018
    June 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.