Tag Archives: Red Crossbill

I was walking on some private property in Marquette County and out of nowhere 6 Red Crossbills landed in a Red Pine 25 feet from me. 4 males and 2 females. The event lasted only 30 seconds and I did not even see the females until they flew from the area as they were in a tree nearby. I never seen the birds again but I did get a quick few photos to share. It was a gorgeous day for this time of year with mild temps around 50 degrees, full sun, low winds. Images were taken on November 18, 2023.

Red Crossbill, male

A pair of males…

Their stop was very short…

I was birding along the lakefront this morning and I came across some Red Crossbills feeding on some cone seeds on some spruce trees. I saw 2 males and 2 females. I only saw 4 of these birds and they moved around to a couple of different clumps of spruce trees while I was there. It started to drizzle so I left, and the Red Crossbills were still present. That was the birding highlight for the day. A cloudy day with fog and very light drizzle. The temps were mild, that felt great for a change. Images were taken on January 21, 2018.

Red Crossbill, male eating cone seeds on a spruce tree…

Red Crossbill

Binomial name: Loxia curvirostra

Category: Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies

Size: 6.25” long, 11” wing span

Weight:  1.3 oz

Red Crossbill, male eating cone seeds on a spruce tree…

Red Crossbill, male eating cone seeds on a spruce tree…

Red Crossbill, male, seed in the bill!  Eating cone seeds on a spruce tree…

Red Crossbill, male, seed in the bill, perched…

Red Crossbills, male (red), 2 females (yellow-green)

Red Crossbill, female

Red Crossbill, female on the ground

Red Crossbill, female

Red Crossbill, female