The Crossbill is also known as the Common Crossbill and is a member of the Finch family. It is also called the ‘parrot of the northern woods’ because it looks similar to a parrot. It has a top beak that hangs over its lower beak, just like a parrot. The Crossbill often feeds on cone seeds so it can often be found in coniferous trees in woodlands and forests mainly in the south east, south and south west of England.

The male Crossbill is a striking brick-red colour with dark streaks on its back and the female is a greeny yellow colour with brown streaks on the sides and back. Both the male and the female have dark brown wings. Crossbills have large heads and thickset necks.

Crossbills climb trees with their feet and beaks and often flutter from tree to tree just likes parrots do. They also tend to be quite thirsty birds because they often go to ponds, streams and puddles to drink water. They also eat buds, shoots and insects. Crossbills are ‘eruptive’ species of birds which means that they will fly further south if their food supply becomes low.