Aptly Named Red Crossbills

At least as far as the males are concerned.

Male Red Crossbill — both red and cross-billed. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/640 sec., f/18, ISO 2500. Trout Creek, MT.

When I first saw this bird, I was struck by the shape of the bill. Was this bird’s bill defective?

Then I remembered that I had heard of some kind of a bird called a “crossbill.” Could this be one?

Yes, it could.

And, not only was the bill not defective, it gave the Red Crossbill an advantage over other finch-type birds. By inserting a partially opened beak into the plates between a pine cone and then closing its beak, the Red Crossbill is able to force the plates open. Using its bill and tongue, the Crossbill can then gain the seed.

Fun Fact: Due to the unique nature of their bill, the Red Crossbill can breed at any time of the year. All they need is an abundant supply of pine cones.

And speaking of breeding, the female Red Crossbill is a yellow bird with the same criss-cross bill.

Female Red Crossbill. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/500 sec., f/18, ISO 8000. Trout Creek, MT.
Female Red Crossbill. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/500 sec., f/18, ISO 8000. Trout Creek, MT.

There are a variety of Red Crossbills, some of which are differentiated by their bill size which corresponds to the type of conifer they prefer. These “types” also have different flight calls, which can allow a better birder than I to distinguish between them.

Special thanks to Sharon G. for her research on Red Crossbills!

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N K
N K
June 18, 2021 1:00 am

Interesting and very cool! I have yet to see my first crossbill.

kathyhawksbirdandphotoblog_prvy8q
Admin
June 24, 2021 10:18 am
Reply to  N K

We ran into a woman a couple days ago who told us of a place to find Crossbills in San Mateo County. We’ll have to check it out.

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