(loxia curvirostra)
The Common Crossbill can be found in coniferous forests, its strangely shaped bill having adapted to enable the bird to prise open cones to extract seeds. In Scotland its numbers and location are rather variable depending on the weight of the cone crop. It is most often seen in winter when it forms flocks which can be heard moving around in a forest area. At other times it is easily overlooked. The male bird is a strikingly red or orange colour whilst the female is a more subdued yellow.