Scottish Crossbill

Loxia scotica Hartert, EJO, 1904

Fringillidae — Finches, Euphonias

Scottish Crossbill Loxia scotica is a passerine of the finch family that breeds in north-east Scotland, especially in lowland Scots pine within the Palearctic. It is closely tied to the Caledonian forests of the Scottish Highlands and is also found in other conifer stands outside the breeding season. Its bill is the key feature, with the mandibles crossing at the tips, and it is hard to separate from other crossbills. It feeds on conifer cones, particularly those of Scots pine, Lodgepole pine and larch. It is resident and does not migrate.

Order
Passeriformes
Family
Fringillidae — Finches, Euphonias
Breeding range
Palearctic: insular w Palearctic in lowland Scots pine: n, ne Scotland (n British Isles)
Nonbreeding range
locally to other conifer types
Scottish Crossbill
© Simone Littledale · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 4.0

Tours where you can spot this bird

8 tours in United Kingdom

Seven-Day Outer Hebrides Spring Birding Tour 2027
Seven-Day Outer Hebrides Spring Birding Tour 2027
United Kingdom / Benbecula Private tour 7 days

Explore North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist in spring for machair waders, Corncrake, raptors and island lochs, including a North Uist boat ...

From GBP 1,795 Next: May 8, 2027
Scottish Highlands Winter Wonderland Birding Break 2026
Scottish Highlands Winter Wonderland Birding Break 2026
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour 5 days

Explore Highland forests, moors and firths in early winter, with three or four guided days chosen for snow, road conditions and current bird...

From GBP 865 Next: Nov 29, 2026
Five-Day Autumn Birding Break in the Scottish Highlands 2026
Five-Day Autumn Birding Break in the Scottish Highlands 2026
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour 5 days

Follow autumn across Strathspey, the Black Isle and Moray Firth on a four-night break with three guided birding days and a Grantown-on-Spey ...

From GBP 855 Next: Nov 6, 2026
Seven-Day Lewis and Harris Autumn Migration Tour 2026
Seven-Day Lewis and Harris Autumn Migration Tour 2026
United Kingdom / Stornoway Private tour 7 days

Travel from Grantown-on-Spey to Lewis and Harris at peak autumn migration, combining island coasts, village cover, moorland and two Minch cr...

From GBP 1,790
Five-Day Scottish Migration and Seabirds Cruise Break 2026
Five-Day Scottish Migration and Seabirds Cruise Break 2026
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour 5 days

Spend four nights in Grantown-on-Spey with three guided autumn days covering Strathspey, Moray coast migration and a return Minch seabird cr...

From GBP 890
Private Bespoke Birding Break in Scotland
Private Bespoke Birding Break in Scotland
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour

Build a private Scottish birding break for a couple or a group of up to seven, with duration, habitats, accommodation and travel agreed arou...

Three-Day Highland Birding Package with Two Hotel Nights
Three-Day Highland Birding Package with Two Hotel Nights
United Kingdom / Grantown-on-Spey Private tour 3 days

Combine two nights at the Grant Arms Wildlife Hotel with one privately guided Highland birding day, including transport, dinner, breakfast a...

From GBP 365
Private Scottish Highlands Birding Day with John Poyner
Private Scottish Highlands Birding Day with John Poyner
United Kingdom / Nethy Bridge Private tour 8h

Shape a private Highland birding day around Cairngorm pinewoods and lochs, the Moray Firth or the Black Isle, with the route chosen for curr...

From GBP 110