Scottish Crossbill

The Scottish Crossbill (Loxia scotica) is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It is endemic to the Caledonian Forests of Scotland, and is the only vertebrate unique to the United Kingdom. The Scottish Crossbill was confirmed as a unique species in August 2006, on the basis of having a distinctive bird song.

Description
It has a heavier bill than the Crossbill; plumages are similar; making it difficult to identify from other members of the Loxia genus.

Diet
Like other crossbills, they feed mainly on pine seeds.

Distribution/habitat
It is a scarce resident in Scotland. They are confined to the Scots pine forests of the Scottish Highlands, both ancient Caledonian forest and new commercial plantations.