I was birding along the lakefront this morning and I came across some Red Crossbills feeding on some cone seeds on some spruce trees. I saw 2 males and 2 females. I only saw 4 of these birds and they moved around to a couple of different clumps of spruce trees while I was there. It started to drizzle so I left, and the Red Crossbills were still present. That was the birding highlight for the day. A cloudy day with fog and very light drizzle. The temps were mild, that felt great for a change. Images were taken on January 21, 2018.
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rcIMG_1218_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbill, male eating cone seeds on a spruce tree…
Red Crossbill
Binomial name: Loxia curvirostra
Category: Fringilline and Cardueline Finches and Allies
Size: 6.25” long, 11” wing span
Weight: 1.3 oz
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rcIMG_1267_cr-778x1024.jpg)
Red Crossbill, male eating cone seeds on a spruce tree…
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rcIMG_1230_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbill, male eating cone seeds on a spruce tree…
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rcIMG_1210_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbill, male, seed in the bill! Eating cone seeds on a spruce tree…
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rcIMG_1324_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbill, male, seed in the bill, perched…
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rcIMG_1531_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbills, male (red), 2 females (yellow-green)
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rvvIMG_0920_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbill, female
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rvvIMG_0977_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbill, female on the ground
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rvvIMG_0782_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbill, female
![](https://www.windowtowildlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/rvvIMG_0886_cr.jpg)
Red Crossbill, female
The cone crop here in northwestern WI is poor this year, so I’m happy to see the crossbills thriving elsewhere. Great photos, Jim!
Nicely done. Another bird I have never seen. Unfortunately one of many…