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| − | + | '''Alternative name: Two-barred Crossbill''' | |
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;[[:Category:Loxia|Loxia]] leucoptera | ;[[:Category:Loxia|Loxia]] leucoptera | ||
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[[Image:White-winged_Crossbill.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Marcel Gauthier<br />Photo taken: Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada.]] | [[Image:White-winged_Crossbill.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Marcel Gauthier<br />Photo taken: Charlevoix, Quebec, Canada.]] | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
The nominate subspecies breeds in northern [[North America]] from [[Alaska]] to eastern [[Canada]] and northern [[USA]] while subspecies ''bifasciata'' breeds in northern [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. | The nominate subspecies breeds in northern [[North America]] from [[Alaska]] to eastern [[Canada]] and northern [[USA]] while subspecies ''bifasciata'' breeds in northern [[Europe]] and [[Asia]]. | ||
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Winters a little farther south. | Winters a little farther south. | ||
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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
Revision as of 14:16, 22 August 2008
Alternative name: Two-barred Crossbill
- Loxia leucoptera
Identification
- Rich carmine color inclining to crimson
- Dark reddish-brown feet
- Dusky-colored feathers and tail
- Two broad white wing bars
- Brownish sides
Female
- Dusky upper parts
- Yellowish-gray under parts streaked and dusky
- Wings and tail similar to male, but paler
Immature
Resemble female, but under parts are dull yellowish gray, spotted and streaked in dark brown
Distribution
The nominate subspecies breeds in northern North America from Alaska to eastern Canada and northern USA while subspecies bifasciata breeds in northern Europe and Asia. Winters a little farther south.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Almost entirely spruce forests.
Behaviour
This is one of several species of Crossbills and other birds that exhibit eruptive behavior: they may be resident for several years in a breeding area but are then induced by unfavorable environmental factors to migrate in numbers to areas in which they otherwise are absent.
