Loxia leucoptera
male
Garth McElroy: White-winged Crossbill male and female.
The White-winged Crossbill is a striking finch whose bill has cross-tipped mandibles. The bold white wingbars are much more striking than in variant Red Crossbills and allow identification with certainty. The sexes are dissimilar. Adult males have bright pinkish-red body plumage (much paler and pinker than in a male Red Crossbill) that is palest on the belly and flanks. The dark wings have two striking white wingbars, and the tail is blackish. Adult females have streaked olive-yellow body plumage and dark wings with a wingbar pattern like that of a male. Juveniles are streaked gray-brown and darker above than below; the dark wings show two wingbars but these are less distinct than on an adult. By the first year, an immature male recalls an adult male but pink elements of the plumage are tinged yellow; immature females are similar to an adult female.
Most White-winged Crossbills are resident year-round in northern larch and spruce forests They form roving flocks outside the breeding season.
female
From other sources: Garth McElroy: White-winged Crossbill male and female.
FACT FILE
LENGTH 6.5 in (16.5 cm)
FOOD Conifer seeds
HABITAT Conifer forests
STATUS Widespread and locally common resident
VOICE Song is a series of trills and whistles. Call is a sharp chip-chip, usually given in flight
