Crossbills are remarkable finches with uniquely crossed mandibles adapted for extracting seeds from conifer cones, subject to dramatic irruptions from Scandinavia in poor cone years.
Crossbill welfare is linked to conifer forest management. Mature native Scots pine in the Caledonian forest is essential for Scottish crossbill. Clear-felling monoculture plantations reduces habitat quality. Irrupting birds may struggle to establish if cone crops fail.