Crossbill Conundrum

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!