Red Crossbill

Left: male Red Crossbill. Right: female Red Crossbill.

NPS Photo / Rachel Ames

Size: 6.5”
Description: Males are a deep red to reddish yellow-green, while females are grayish olive overall. Both sexes have blackish brown wings and tail, and a curved beak with crossed tips.
Migratory Status: Year-round residents of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Habitat: Prefer ponderosa pine forests but also live in other coniferous forests to 11,000 feet. Can be seen above timberline.
Diet: Eat conifer seeds that they pry from the cones with their long, curved beaks.

 

• Red Crossbill (call)

  
  

  Red Crossbill call recorded on the Cow Creek Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park. Note that a Ruby-crowned Kinglet can also be heard in the recording.

  Credit / Author:

  J. Job

  Date created:

  06/22/2015

  Audio Transcript

  Transcript due 4/1/2025