Adult male is orangish red overall with plain red underparts, red head with dusky auriculars, red back, plain blackish wings and tail, and namesake large bill with crossed upper and lower mandible tips; crossing can be difficult to see at a distance. Female is greenish-yellow, not red. Immature males are often pale orange. White-winged Crossbill always has bold white wing bars. At least nine subspecies are recognized, some or all of which may merit full species status; distinguishing variations--tone of flight calls and overall size--can be near impossible to use in the field. Most recently, the isolated Idaho population of "South Hills Crossbill" has been suggested to represent a distinct species. Though various plumages of other finches may superficially resemble this species, they do not have the distinctive crossed bill.

Length: 16 (cm) Wingspan: 28 (cm)

Voice:

Though tonal quality varies among subspecies, flight calls are usually an alternating series of 1-3 "kip" notes, which range from high-pitched and sharp like the call note of a Pygmy Nuthatch to flat like the "pik" note of a Purple Finch. Song is a longer, jumbled phrase, incorporating call notes.

Habitat:

Coniferous woods, especially pines.

Behavior:

Irruptive and nomadic, wandering widely in search of cone crops. Often seen in small flocks. Nest is a cup placed on horizontal tree branch.

Feeding:

Uses unique bill to pry apart conifer cones, extracting seeds with tongue. Often forages high in tree tops. Occasionally eats other seeds and insects; sometimes visits bird feeders.