crossbill

Thân thiện

A crossbill uses its unique beak to pry seeds from a pine cone.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of finch with a distinctive crossed bill: A crossbill is a small songbird belonging to the finch family, characterized by its unique bill where the tips of the upper and lower mandibles cross over each other. This adaptation allows it to efficiently extract seeds from conifer cones.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • We spotted a flock of red crossbills foraging in the pine trees.
  • The crossbill's specialized beak is a perfect tool for its diet.

Advanced Usage

• "Red crossbill" (Loxia curvirostra): The most common and widespread species, known for its reddish plumage in males.
  • The red crossbill is often heard before it is seen, due to its distinctive flight calls.
• "White-winged crossbill" (Loxia leucoptera): A species distinguished by white wing bars.
  • The white-winged crossbill is a rare winter visitor to this region.

Variants and Related Words

• Crossbilled (adj): Having a crossed bill. (This is a descriptive term, not a standard adjective).
  • The crossbilled finch is a marvel of evolutionary adaptation.

Synonyms

• Loxia: The scientific genus name for crossbills.

Related Phrases

• Crossbill species: Refers to any of the birds within the genus .
  • Several crossbill species can be identified by their call notes.

Học thuật

Noun

1. finch with a bill whose tips cross when closed

Từ đồng nghĩa

• loxia curvirostra