ExploreBirds

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

The Red Crossbill is a special bird known for its unique crossed beak. This helps it crack open pine cones to eat the seeds inside. They are often found in forests and are very social birds.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Red Crossbill has a unique beak where the upper and lower mandibles cross, a key identifier. Males are mostly brick-red with darker wings and tail, while females have yellowish-olive bodies. This unusual bill helps them stand out from other birds.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyFringillidaeGenusLoxia
Red Crossbill
feathered trait badgesocial trait badgesinging trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Red Crossbill

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Crossbills can breed in winter's cold, raising chicks when snow still covers the ground!

Did you know Red Crossbills sometimes hang upside down like bats to get to tricky seeds?

Each type of Crossbill has its own unique call, like different secret codes!

They are "nomads of the sky," traveling far to find the best cone crops each year!

Special abilities

Ability

Anytime Nesters

Red Crossbills have the ability to nest and breed almost any time of year when there's plenty of food, helping their babies thrive.

Ability

Cone Specialist

Red Crossbills can develop different bill shapes adapted to efficiently open specific conifer cones, helping them specialize.

Measurements & details

Length
13-18 cm
Wingspan
27-31 cm
Weight
0.025-0.045 kg
Lifespan
2-7 years
Top Speed
45 km/h
Clutch Size
2-5
Incubation
12-16 days

Diet & Feeding

They mostly munch on seeds from pine, spruce, and fir cones, using their unique beak to get them out!

Primary Foods

  • Conifer seeds
  • Pine seeds
  • Spruce seeds
  • Fir seeds
  • Larch seeds
  • Insects

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Enjoy watching birds from a distance, and don't try to touch or catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Red Crossbill?

13-18 cm

What is Red Crossbill's wingspan?

27-31 cm

How much does Red Crossbill weigh?

0.025-0.045 kg

How long does Red Crossbill live?

2-7 years

How fast can Red Crossbill move?

45 km/h

What does Red Crossbill eat?

They mostly munch on seeds from pine, spruce, and fir cones, using their unique beak to get them out!

Where is Red Crossbill usually found?

Forests

How does Red Crossbill hunt?

Foraging

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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