Already with chicks

Krossnefur – Common Crossbill – Loxia curvirostra

We are almost obsessed with the Common Crossbill. They are such a nice addition to the Icelandic bird population with their yellow and orange colours and the special beak. Last weekend we saw the first ones with chicks.

The Common Crossbill breeds earlier than all Icelandic birds. The males start singing in the middle of winter and breed as early as February if there is enough feed.

The males are usually more colourful and come in shades of red, orange and yellow. The females are usually yellow.