noun
- small finches with crossed mandibles adapted for extracting seeds from conifer cones
Usage: ornithology
Examples
- The crossbills used their specialized beaks to pry open pine cones.
- A flock of crossbills descended on the spruce trees in search of seeds.
- Red crossbills are known for their nomadic feeding patterns.
- The ornithologist spotted several crossbills feeding in the coniferous forest.
- Crossbills have evolved unique bill structures that cross at the tips.
- During winter, crossbills often travel in large groups following cone crops.