Kenai Birding Festival

White-winged Crossbill

Written by kenaibirding Sunday, 28 November 2010 14:36

White-winged Crossbill (Loxia leucoptera) are found in coniferous forest and they breed in Alaska, northern Quebec, south to Newfoundland, and British Columbia.  The mandibles of the White-winged Crossbill cross at the tips and are an adaptation for feeding.  A White-winged Crossbill can consume up to 3000 conifer seeds a day.  They also have a specialized "pocket" in the middle throat that allows them to store additional seeds.  Breeding can take place in all 12 months and is dependent on the availability of food for producing eggs and rearing young.  The nest is found on branches in coniferous trees.

On the Kenai Peninsula White-winged Crossbills can be found on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.