Finches

Red Crossbill (Type 3)

Loxia curvirostra

A stocky finch with distinctive crossed mandibles uniquely adapted for prying open conifer cone scales. Males are brick-red and females olive-yellow. Type 3 is the Western Hemlock specialist found in Southeast Alaska.

Current regional viewing notes

Coniferous forests around Hoonah, especially stands with heavy hemlock or spruce cone crops; nomadic and irruptive.

Dataset note: This legacy field can be specific to Southeast Alaska/Hoonah and is not a complete statewide range statement.

Habitat

Coniferous forests, especially those with abundant hemlock and spruce cone crops.

Diet

Seeds extracted from conifer cones using their specialized crossed bill; also some insects.

Natural history note

Red Crossbills have at least 10 distinct "call types" across North America, each specializing on different conifer species — Type 3 is adapted to western hemlock cones.