Two-barred Crossbill

Loxia leucoptera

Introduction

Similar in appearance to Common Crossbill but with broad white wingbars and a distinctive call, this is a scarce, but irregular immigrant to Britain & Ireland from north-eastern Europe.

Annual numbers are highly variable, and there can be years where we see significant influxes.

Key Stats

Status

Very rare

Weight

31.8g

Seasonality

<1%

BTO Records

1.8k records

Population and distribution stats for:

No data

No current data

No current data

No data

No current data

0% no change

Status and Trends

Population size, trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO and partnership surveys and atlasses with data collected by BTO volunteers.

Conservation Status

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This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.

Species of European Conservation Concern

Least Concern

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global)

Least Concern

Schedule 1 Licence required (to disturb)*

Birds Directive Annex 1

* A guide only. Check details with the original legislation, especially those marked with an asterisk. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Size

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BOU Category

Source

First Record*

Cumbria, 1845 (Down 1802)

* First documented occurrence. Most species undoubtedly occurred before this. See About Birdfacts for more information.

Population Change

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Population trends of this scarce species are not routinely monitored.

Distribution

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Greenfinches are widely distributed in winter and the breeding season, perhaps showing especially strong associations with villages and towns across Britain & Ireland. Like the Goldfinch, the only significant range gaps for this species are in the higher parts of northern Scotland. Highest densities are found on lower ground, mainly in south and southeast England, eastern Scotland and in pockets throughout Ireland.

Occupied 10-km squares in UK

These figures come from Bird Atlas 2007 and indicate how widespread a species is.

No. occupied in winter

% occupied in winter

0.03%

Bird Atlas distribution maps show where bird species breed or winter in Britain and Ireland. For breeding maps, larger dots indicate higher certainty the species bred in that area.

Winter Distribution for Two-barred Crossbill

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Breeding Distribution for Two-barred Crossbill

Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

To view and download up-to-date distribution information aggregated from across BTO and partnership surveys and schemes, see our data holdings on the NBN Atlas.

European Distribution Map

European Breeding Bird Atlas 2

Distribution Change

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There have been small range expansions in winter and the breeding season. Population reductions due to trichomonosis had not led to range contractions bu 2007–11.

Seasonality

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This species has been too rarely reported to BirdTrack during 2011–22 to properly assess seasonality.

Movement

Information about Two-barred Crossbill movements and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.

Britain & Ireland movement

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View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

Dots show the foreign destinations of birds ringed in Britain & Ireland, and the origins of birds ringed overseas that were subsequently recaptured, resighted or found dead in Britain & Ireland. Dot colours indicate the time of year that the species was present at the location.

Winter (Nov-Feb)
Spring (Mar-Apr)
Summer (May-Jul)
Autumn (Aug-Oct)

Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland

European movements

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EuroBirdPortal uses birdwatcher's records, such as those logged in BirdTrack to map the flows of birds as they arrive and depart Europe. See maps for this species here.

Biology

Lifecycle and body size information for Two-barred Crossbill, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.

Survival and Longevity

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Survival is shown as the proportion of birds surviving from one year to the next and is derived from bird ringing data. It can also be used to estimate how long birds typically live.

View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report.

Classification, names and codes

Taxonomy, names and species codes for Two-barred Crossbill

Classification and Codes

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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Fringillidae
Scientific name: Loxia leucoptera
Authority: JF Gmelin, 1789

BTO 2-letter code: PD
BTO 5-letter code: TWBCR
Euring code number: 16650

Alternate species names

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Catalan: trencapinyes d'ala blanca
Czech: krivka belokrídlá
Danish: Hvidvinget Korsnæb
Dutch: Witbandkruisbek
Estonian: vööt-käbilind
Finnish: kirjosiipikäpylintu
French: Bec-croisé bifascié

German: Bindenkreuzschnabel
Hungarian: szalagos keresztcsoru
Icelandic: Víxlnefur
Irish: Crosghob Báneiteach
Italian: Crociere fasciato
Latvian: balstsvitru krustknabis
Lithuanian: margasparnis kryžiasnapis
Norwegian: Båndkorsnebb

Polish: krzyzodziób modrzewiowy
Portuguese: cruza-bico-listado
Slovak: krivonos bielokrídly
Slovenian: beloperuti krivokljun
Spanish: Piquituerto aliblanco
Swedish: bändelkorsnäbb
Welsh: Gylfingroes Adeinwyn

More Evidence

More evidence from Conservation Evidence.com

Partners

Birdfacts is based on data collected by volunteers participating in surveys that are organised and funded by BTO, RSPB, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, JNCC and other partners.

BTO

Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

JNCC

RSPB

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