Crossbills take advantage of a bird bath filled with clean, fresh water. I have had red crossbills come to a feeder filled with sunflower seeds but it has been a relatively rare occurrence.

In winter some birds are common, while others are absent. Why? The answer to the question is food.

Red crossbills and white-winged crossbills are two species that travel for cones. They have distinctive mandibles crossed at the tip which makes it possible for them to extract seeds from conifer cones. They are specialists that use their crossed bills to pry open conifer cones so they can lift the seed out with their tongue and then feast on the nutritious seeds inside. They are generally found in all seasons throughout Canada’s and the United States’ coniferous forests. However, they are an irruptive species which means they will not hesitate to be on the move to find sufficient food. Their favorite destinations are forests with a bumper crop of cones.

Red crossbills

Birds Canada reports that red crossbills will nest anywhere and at any time of the year if food is abundant (2023). They are fairly common in the Pacific Northwest and on the Peninsula where cones are plentiful. Red crossbills are a nomadic species so their numbers are tied to having forested areas with a good cone crop. Some years invasions occur into the lowlands of Washington and the coast from late summer through winter. Thus, their numbers vary annually, but I have almost always seen and heard red crossbills in every season here on the Long Beach Peninsula

Scientists have determined that there twelve different types of red crossbills. These twelve types each have a unique vocalization and bill shape, and in some cases preferred tree species within their region. All are the same color but have different body size, bill shape and size.

Red crossbills are a songbird and are medium sized. They have a stocky appearance and are about the size of a house sparrow. Field guides describe the adult males as being a brick red with dark brown wings and tail. It has a red rump and, as mentioned above, mandibles that are crossed at the tip. Some males are greenish red overall. Females are greenish with dark wings and have the specialized crossed mandibles.

Red crossbills fly from tree to tree together in a flock while foraging and eating. The flight calls are distinctive. Listen carefully for the chatter of a flock of birds. If you look up when you hear them, the chances are that they will be red crossbills. It is likely they will be in a tree with an abundance of tasty cones. Flocks of them will also descend on a bird bath. I have counted as many a ten sitting around the edge of the bath. The flocks I see are generally larger than ten. This is evident when many of the birds at the bath take off and another group flies in to take their place.

White-winged crossbills

White-winged crossbills are also nomads willing to travel for cones. They are typically found in the northern areas of Washington state. They are rare in our area and elsewhere in the state. Some years they are seen but being an irruptive species there are large invasions in some years. Their irruptions or invasions are irregular. I have only observed a white-winged crossbill once on the Peninsula. The sighting occurred on a Christmas bird count a few years ago. A photo of the bird was submitted and was accepted as credible evidence of its presence. This supports the finding that the whit-winged crossbill is a rare bird in these parts!

White-winged crossbill females have a brownish green head, streaked greenish underparts, and two conspicuous white wing bars on dark wings. Males have pinkish-red underparts, blackish wings, and two conspicuous white wing bars. Both birds have mandibles that are crossed at the tip. Dr. Bird, a well-known ornithologist, writes, “no others accent a winter wonderland with hot pink and magenta — the color of the white-winged crossbill’s head and breast” (2019).

Conclusion

Red crossbills come to my feeders. They seem to prefer the small black sunflower seeds. They visit the bird bath in every season as well. The chattering of a large flock usually alerts me to their presence. It puts me on the alert, so I grab my binoculars and camera. I get ready. Watch for red crossbills in trees heavy laden with cones. Check for the rare white-winged crossbills too. Remember, crossbills will travel for cones! You never know when you might see one. Happy birding.