Perching

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra
Red Crossbill thumbnail
Length: 6 in. (16 cm )
Dependent on pine cones for food, the bizarre crossed bill of this species is used to deftly extract seeds from this otherwise difficult source of food. Because of their dependency on this single source of food, the populations of Red Crossbills are constantly wandering to find local eruptions of cones. Where they were common one year, they may be completely absent the next. They also nest opportunistically from late winter to early spring. The nest is made of twigs and placed on a high horizontal branch away from the trunk. The hatchlings are fed a regurgitated puree of pine cone seeds. This species is usually in small flocks year round.

The four-digit banding code is RECR.

Male | Brian Small(link is external)

Female | Robert Shantz(link is external)



Fir forest

Oak-pine woodland
Download Sound
Bird Sound Type: Chirping
Sex of Bird: Male
Sonogram Large:
Sonogram Zoom:

View Citation

Plants in the rainforest
What is an Ecosystem Service?
Answer >>

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

 

Share to Google Classroom