Red Crossbills

Jip-jip calls and the cracking of cones are sounds that indicate that Red Crossbills are
nearby. These birds' bills seem awkward until you see how efficiently they can extract
the seeds of conifer cones, which these birds eat almost exclusively. In some years, Red
Crossbills are very common in coniferous woodlands around the city. If it is a poor
year for cone production, however, these birds move elsewhere to forage and are
hardly seen. Crossbills are so dependent upon their fluctuating food source that when
they breed is related to food availability and not to season—these birds can breed at
any time of year.
Similar Species: White-winged Crossbill: obvious, white wing bars; unusual around
Vancouver. Other birds: lack unique crossbill.

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