Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra

(aka Common Crossbill)

Male Red Crossbill, Thrumsing La, Mongra, Bhutan, April 2008 - click for larger image

Thrumsing La, Mongar, Bhutan
April 2008

The Red Crossbill is distributed in the conifer forests of North America, Europe and Asia. It feeds on the seeds of conifer cones and its bill, with the mandible and maxilla crossing at the tip, is specially adapted for prising the seeds from the cones.

The male, seen here, is a rusty red colour brighter on the breast and rump. The female is olive-green.

There is additional information available via Avibase.

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