Birds of North America

Crossbills

Fringillidae

Lives, Habitats & Pictures of the Crossbills

There are two species of crossbills in North America, the White-winged Crossbill and the Red Crossbill. Both type of birds live off the seeds of the pine and spruce cones. The White-winged Crossbill lives more north than the Red Crossbill and is not likely to migrate into the southern states such as the Red Crossbill when the food supply becomes scarce.

The crossbills are nomads, following the pine and spruce cones harvest as they mature. They have no real nesting schedule, such as most birds who are more likely to nest in the Spring. The abundance of cone seeds play a more major roll in when they will decide to lay their eggs and raise their young than what month of the year it is.


Click on the bird names listed below to see pictures of Crossbills

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Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB