Red Crossbill

The Red Crossbill is a casual visitor to campus: up to three birds (two males and a female) were seen 19-23 Apr 2008 and a female was seen 12 Feb 2010. It is an uncommon year-round resident in southern California mountains, but they occasionally occur in non-native pines at lower elevations.

The male Red Crossbill can be identified its overall red plumage with dark wings and tail, and its curved, crossed mandibles (upper and lower parts of the bill). Females are similar to males but yellow overall instead of red.