White-winged Crossbill

White-winged Crossbills remain in flocks year-round, even during the nesting season. They forage mostly in spruce and tamarack, prying open the cones with their crossed bills to eat the seeds.

                                                Male White-winged Crossbill

They also take grit from the ground and eat insects during summer. In years when spruce and other cones are scarce, large numbers irrupt, or wander far out of the usual range.

                                                Female White-winged Crossbill

Found in Boreal forests, mostly spruce and tamarack. During irruptions, look for them in spruces, hemlock forests, weedy fields, and occasionally at backyard bird feeders. Cornell All About Birds

                                               Immature White-winged Crossbill