Did you know that what we now consider one species, the Red Crossbill, may soon be divided into eight different species? This "species" is currently composed of several types that, according to the experts that have studied them, are potentially different species. These different types of Red Crossbills have evolved to feed upon a specific species of coniferous tree cone (or the seeds taken from the cones). In other words, some Red Crossbills have beaks that are more efficient at extracting seeds from englemann spruce and some are better at removing ponderosa pine seeds. Distinguishing the different Red Crossbill types visually is extremely difficult, if not impossible. The best method for distinguishing the different types is by their vocalizations. Identifying Red Crossbills may become one of the "hot topics" in bird identification soon if the split occurs. Stay tuned!
Jason Beason
Paonia - Delta County
(Crossbill photo taken on Grand Mesa by Jacob Cooper)
