crossbill

American  

[kraws-bil, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌbɪl, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

1. any bird belonging to the genus Loxia, of the finch family, characterized by mandibles curved so that the tips cross each other when the bill is closed.

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crossbill British  

/ ˈkrɒsˌbɪl /

noun

1. any of various widely distributed finches of the genus Loxia, such as L. curvirostra, that occur in coniferous woods and have a bill with crossed mandible tips for feeding on conifer seeds

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Etymology

Origin of crossbill

First recorded in 1665–75; cross- + bill ²

Example Sentences

To respect the life of the deer is to disrespect the life of the capercaillie, the crossbill, the goshawk, the wildcat, the red squirrel and the pine marten.

From The Guardian • Feb. 19, 2020

After he brought her a captive red crossbill, Grandma Audubon, as she was often known, set the bird free.

From New York Times • Jul. 24, 2019

Then Judge Ferguson granted the defendants' crossbill asking dissolution of the company.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Mexican crossbill appeared to have little fear of the migrating Northern shrike.

From Through the Grand Canyon from Wyoming to Mexico by Kolb, E. L. (Ellsworth Leonardson)

The scarlet tanager is red, too, but it has black wings, and it isn't called a redbird; and the crossbill is red, with a few white feathers, and it isn't called a redbird either.

From The American Child by McCracken, Elizabeth