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Reference.org
Crossbill
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<p>Crossbills are birds of the genus <i>Loxia</i> within the <a href="/facts/Finch/FaSIrLTh">finch</a> family (<a href="/facts/Fringillidae/FaSIrLTh">Fringillidae</a>), with six species. These birds are characterized by the mandibles with crossed tips, which gives the group its English name. Adult males tend to be red or orange in color, and females green or yellow, but there is much variation. </p><p>Crossbills are specialist feeders on <a href="/facts/Conifer/vDUgqxCx">conifer</a> cones, and the unusual bill shape is an adaptation which enables them to extract seeds from cones. These birds are typically found in higher northern hemisphere latitudes, where their food sources grow. They irrupt out of the breeding range when the cone crop fails. Crossbills breed very early in the year, often in winter months, to take advantage of maximum cone supplies. </p>