Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-89
| Common name: |
White-winged Crossbill |
| Scientific name: | Loxia leucoptera |
| Date: | 10/05/2026 |
| Time: | 9:40am |
| Length of time observed: | 8 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | AHY |
| Sex: | F |
| Location: | Timpooneke Campground |
| County: | |
| Latilong: | 40.4311056, -111.6441956 |
| Elevation: | 7400 feet |
| Distance to bird: | 20m |
| Optical equipment: | I had 10x42 Vortex Diamondback HD Binoculars; KC had 8x43 Zen Rays Binoculars |
| Weather: | Clear skies, no wind, ~50 degrees F |
| Light Conditions: | Morning light that left part of the campground in shadow as it was rising over the mountains |
| Description: Size of bird: | Similar to Cassin's Finch |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Finch |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Yellow, black, white |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Crossbill |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
KC Childs and I arrived at the campground around
8:50am, deliberately looking for White-winged Crossbills after other
birders have documented them at this location. Maybe 20 minutes after we arrived we heard crossbills calling and got eyes on a small flock of them perched atop a conifer. We could clearly identify Red Crossbills before the flock flew out of sight. We meandered around the campground for about 30 minutes until the flock flew back, giving flight calls, and then landed on a Douglas fir. This time white wingbars were obvious on one of the birds from where we stood on the campground road. The flock perched for only a minute or two before flying across the campground road and landing atop a spruce about 20m away from us. Here they perched and foraged for several minutes, giving us well-lit, uninterrupted views of the White-winged Crossbill and at least 6 Red Crossbills. I believe the White-winged was an AHY female due to the combination of dull yellow coloration across the head, back, breast, and rump, and the streaking on her front and back. There was no significant size difference between her and the Red Crossbills. She stayed with the flock the entire time we observed her. I took photos on my Canon PowerShot SX70 HS of the White-winged in flight and perched on the spruce. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | Flight calls were heard from the flock of crossbills several times as they flew from tree to tree, although I couldn't pick out a call that I identified as White-winged from the Reds calling. |
| Behavior: | Foraging in conifers with Red Crossbills in short intervals and then flying around the campground |
| Habitat: | Spruce and Douglas Fir |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Distinguished from Red Crossbills by two broad, white wingbars on black wings. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've seen White-winged Crossbills twice before (Glacier NP, MT and Redman Campground, UT). I'm more familiar with Red Crossbills, which I've seen a number of times across 4 states. KC has more extensive experience with both of these crossbill species. |
| References consulted: | Sibley Birds 2nd Edition, Macauley Library on eBird |
| Description from: |
From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Clarissa Chipman |
| Observer's address: | Springville, Utah |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | KC Childs |
| Date prepared: | 10/22/2026 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | eBird checklist: https://ebird.org/checklist/S399527873 |