crossbill

[ kraws-bil, kros- ]

noun

1. any bird belonging to the genus Loxia, of the finch family, characterized by mandibles curved so that the tips cross each other when the bill is closed.

crossbill

/ ˈkrɒsˌbɪl /

noun

1. any of various widely distributed finches of the genus Loxia, such as L. curvirostra, that occur in coniferous woods and have a bill with crossed mandible tips for feeding on conifer seeds

Word History and Origins

Origin of crossbill¹

First recorded in 1665–75; cross- + bill ²

Example Sentences

He uses recordings of red crossbills to understand the populations of that species, a type of finch, that occur in Southern California and in the Sierra Nevada.

From Seattle Times

They provide habitat for red squirrels and birds such as capercaillie, crested tits and crossbills.

From BBC

For beginning birders, fewer species in winter and the tendency of some to flock together, like cedar waxwings and red crossbills, make it easier to spot and remember them.

From New York Times

The expanded forest, mainly made up of native Scots pines, has become a corridor for wildlife like crossbills and golden eagles which allows them to move more freely across a larger area.

From BBC

To respect the life of the deer is to disrespect the life of the capercaillie, the crossbill, the goshawk, the wildcat, the red squirrel and the pine marten.

From The Guardian