red crossbill

bird

Also known as: Loxia curvirostra

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is a type of finch known for its distinctive crossed mandibles. These specialized bills are used to pry open the scales of conifer cones, allowing the bird to extract seeds with its tongue. Because conifer seeds are not always available, red crossbills often travel long distances in search of food.

There are several varieties of the red crossbill, and evidence suggests they may even be distinct species. These varieties differ in their calls, diets, and the size of their bills, with larger-billed types feeding on larger cones. While seeds are their primary food, red crossbills also consume insects, buds, and berries, and are notably attracted to salt. The red crossbill is found across the Northern Hemisphere, with males typically being vermilion in color and having dark wings and tail.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

crossbill
…eight different varieties of the red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) may actually be different species. Each has a slightly different call note, a variant of the hard “kip-kip” given in flight. There are also differences in diet and bill size, with different forms feeding on specific conifers; for example, the larger-billed…
Read More
…eight different varieties of the red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) may actually be different species. Each has a slightly different call note, a variant of the hard “kip-kip” given in flight. There are also differences in diet and bill size, with different forms feeding on specific conifers; for example, the larger-billed…
Read More

community ecology
Specialization in predation
Experiments on red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) have shown that different populations of these birds have bill sizes and shapes that have been adapted to harvest efficiently only one conifer species. Hence, red crossbills are a complex of populations, each adapted to different conifer species.
Read More
Experiments on red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) have shown that different populations of these birds have bill sizes and shapes that have been adapted to harvest efficiently only one conifer species. Hence, red crossbills are a complex of populations, each adapted to different conifer species.
Read More