A small finch with crossed mandibles for prying open conifer cones. Distinct white wing bars.

Also called: Two-barred Crossbill

Native status: Native to North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 11–20 cm (4.3–8 in); wingspan 18–32 cm
Weight9–60 g
LifespanWild 3–12 years
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyFringillidae

§ Encyclopedia

The two-barred crossbill or white-winged crossbill is a small passerine bird in the finch family Fringillidae. It breeds in the coniferous forests of North America and the Palearctic.

Source: Wikipedia — Two-barred crossbill Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Crossed-bill finch with two bold white wing bars on black wings; males rosy-pink, females yellowish-olive and streaked.

Similar species. Red Crossbill has plain dark wings without wing bars; the bold white wing bars are diagnostic for White-winged.

Voice. A dry, rattling trill and liquid 'chif-chif' flight calls; song a series of mechanical trills.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Seeds (specialized for many species), occasional insects.

Behavior. A nomadic crossbill of northern spruce and larch forest; specializes on smaller, softer cones than the Red Crossbill and wanders widely tracking cone crops.

§ Range

Boreal Canada and Alaska

§ Habitat

Coniferous forests

§ Threats

Forest loss, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the white-winged crossbill is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support boreal forest conservation.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List