• 

  Profile

• 

  In flight

Songbirds

Red Crossbill

Loxia curvirostra

• uncommon
• 40 km/h
• Least Concern

Beak tips cross sideways so it can pry open conifer cones. The only bird with a tool built into its face.

Population

About 30–48 million mature individuals

Habitat

Coniferous forest and woodland

Fun fact

Its crossed bill tips pry open cone scales to reach the seeds inside.

Range

Holarctic, including North America, Eurasia, and North Africa

Diet

Conifer seeds, with occasional buds and insects

Size

0.18 m

Wingspan

0.28 m

Lifespan

8 years