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

See Examples For:

crossbill

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

Under ordinary conditions, no seed was found to germinate after passing through the turkey, hen, pigeon, crossbill, bullfinch, goldfinch, nutcracker, titmouse, and the duck.

From Seed Dispersal by Beal, W. J. (William James)

The crossbill is fitted with a wonderful tool for tearing fir-cones to pieces.

From Chatterbox Stories of Natural History by Anonymous