| Appearance | Small bird about 6.2″ long, dark red-orange with brown sings and tail. Bill is long, pointed, and “crossed”. A brighter color of red on the head and rump. No crown. Female and young are pale yellow and gray. |
| Diet | Seeds and tree buds. Crossbill is designed to pry open pinecones to get at the seed inside. |
| Feeder Food | Black oil sunflower seed and sometimes thistle. |
| Habitat | Found throughout the US and Canada, this bird prefers mature coniferous forests. |
| Nesting | Nests are built about 70′ high on tree branches near dense branches. They’re relatively large (about 9″ in diameter) made from twigs and lined with grasses, weeds, pine needles, feathers, or hair. 1 brood/season, 2-6 eggs/brood, incubation 14-18 days, and the young fledge at about 16-20 days. Eggs are bluish-white with brown specs. |
Range Map
