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View Full Version : More from the pond..crossbill

ajosteve
16th of October 2007 (Tue), 10:32
This is a really bad shot...but wanted to post it anyway so you could see the beak on this red crossbill....This little flock of them landed about 10 feet right below me on the edge of the water...They were all hidden in the grass and were there for only about 15 seconds...Never saw them again all day...Don't know how these birds can eat with these beaks!!!...steve P.S...anyone have a good crossbill shot to post?
pttenn
16th of October 2007 (Tue), 10:46
That beak just looks so strange. You have to wonder if it was meant to be that way, or some kind of genetic flaw that got passed down. Cool shot.
Karen
canonloader
16th of October 2007 (Tue), 11:04
It's a good shot anyway Steve. The beak is meant to be that way. It's a special adaptation so they can pry open young pine cones to get the seeds out. The beak prys the leaves apart and the tongue goes exploring to get the seed out. Like having your knife and fork attached to your face I guess. :)
ajosteve
16th of October 2007 (Tue), 11:54
It's a good shot anyway Steve. The beak is meant to be that way. It's a special adaptation so they can pry open young pine cones to get the seeds out. The beak prys the leaves apart and the tongue goes exploring to get the seed out. Like having your knife and fork attached to your face I guess. :)

Thanks Mitch..I would love to see them do that..I'll be out there this week again. Hope to see and get a better shot of those crossbills...steve
ajosteve
16th of October 2007 (Tue), 12:15
Thanks Mitch..I would love to see them do that..I'll be out there this week again. Hope to see and get a better shot of those crossbills...steve

Just found this one from yesterday, not a great shot, but strange the way these crossbills drink...the whole face is in the water....steve
canonloader
16th of October 2007 (Tue), 12:21
Wow, that is interesting. I guess the crossed bill makes an air leak so they can't suck it up. :)
Stephen Stephen
16th of October 2007 (Tue), 12:24
Nice Steve. I got shots of the females out in the open last janaury but the Males stayed too far away.
ajosteve
16th of October 2007 (Tue), 13:20
Nice Steve. I got shots of the females out in the open last janaury but the Males stayed too far away.

In the first shot, I had to crop it to get a good look at that beak...there is a group of them and some female there too. They were down in that grass and I was right above them only feet away and couldn't get a clear shot...steve