Yesterday I received an education on crossbill identification at the Oak Hill cemetery in Upper Sandusky.

While watching a dozen White Winged crossbills feeding low in a hemlock, I heard the distinct call of a Red Crossbill mixed in the fold. As I was searching for the crossbill, it flew to the top of a spruce and continued to call. When I looked at it with my binocs, I was shocked to discover that it was actually a male White Winged Crossbill giving the call of a Red Crossbill! This was the first time that I've observed this action from crossbills.

I feel the days of identifing Red Crossbills on sound alone are over! I'll have to make a visual id on them from here on out just to be sure.

Has anyone else experienced this behavior with crossbills?

Rick Counts
Wyandot Co.

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