A White-winged Crossbill was waiting for us when we got out of the car! |
While we watched them, we tried to figure out how they were cracking open the cones to get to the seeds. We could see them working the bracts apart, but had no idea how they were using their crossed bills to do it. Later that night, I got a few of my birds books down to see if I could find out. The answer was easy to find and was in the first book I opened. Bernd Heinrich, in his book Winter World, offered an explanation. He wrote that a crossbill's upper bill is two centimeters long and crosses over a one-half centimeter shorter lower bill. To open a cone bract, the bird inserts a partially open bill into a bract, then closes its bill. When closed, the bill tips separate the bract laterally by about 3 millimeters, just enough for the bird to open its bill slightly and use its barbed tongue to dip in and grab the seed (Heinrich, Winter World, page 37).
Eventually, Matty went off looking at tombstones and did a few rubbings to try to figure out dates and names on the oldest and most weathered stones, and I did a quick sketchbook entry to record our day. We had been to Caesar Creek earlier for a picnic lunch and had seen lots of birds, but the White-winged Crossbills stole the show. In 2009, White-winged Crossbills showed up for a while in Cincinnati, and it was exciting too, but this year, the irruption seems bigger. I can't wait to see what else winter brings!
...sketchbook entry completed in the field. It was very warm that day...65 degrees F. |
Happy birding, everyone!
Kelly from Red and the Peanut
a delightful post Kelly and how interesting to learn more of the crossbills unique eating mechanism via Berndt's observations too. I always enjoy your wonderful sketches and watercolours too; really, really beautiful
ReplyDeleteI love your photos and beautiful watercolor. You are one very talented lady, Kelly.
ReplyDeleteBoth crossbills would be a life bird. Unfortunately, all are about an hour and half to two hour drive from where I live. I checked the very few hemlocks that I know of on the east side of Cincinnati (all in yards) - nothing. Both crossbills seem to be in exclusively hemlock. Hoping to get over to see them!
ReplyDeletegreat bird
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I would love to see the Red and White-winged Crossbills. Lovely photos and wonderful drawings! Happy Birding!
ReplyDeleteI love your watercolor Kelly!
ReplyDeleteGreat sighting and crossbill info, Kelly! Beautiful photos and watercolor!
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Kelly! Funny about crossbills and cemeteries. That's where I see them too.
ReplyDeleteLovely photography, drawing,s and paintings. It's been so much fun to read about the Crossbill sightings this season. Hopefully they keep on coming! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCarol...thank you!!
ReplyDelete...thanks, Pam!
Donald....I know. That's what keeps me from East Fork. Miami Cemetery is 30 minutes from my house, so that's not too bad. We are on opposite sides of Cincy! If you do make it out to my area, let me know.
Thanks, Adam!
...Eileen, thank you! I hope I get to see the Red Crossbills. They are here!
Mia...thank you!!
Hilke...thank you.
Robert...around here, as soon as the crossbills and siskins are reported everyone heads to the cemeteries. That's where the largest groupings of old hemlocks are. Thank goodness they planted hemlocks all those years ago!
Laurence...I hope they keep on coming too! Thank you!!
Wonderful post filled with interesting information, great photographs and a stunning watercolor! I've always wondered about how the crossbills feed. How lucky you are to have seen these beautiful birds.
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