I think I’ve read that left over right and right over left are in the same ration as left-handedness.
Lindell
> On Feb 22, 2026, at 6:39 PM, beaharrison--- via Inland-nw-birders <inland-nw-birders...> wrote: > > I think that there will be some natural variation in them, just like in any > species. Sometimes violets are white instead of violet for example. This > is what drives evolution. If the bill works better crossed the other way, > then that bird may be able to produce more young and the trait will pass to > the next generation. > > Bea > Bea Harrison > 830-313-0610 > > -----Original Message----- > From: Inland-nw-birders <inland-nw-birders-bounces...> On > Behalf Of Tina wynecoop via Inland-nw-birders > Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2026 5:38 PM > To: Inland NW birders <Inland-nw-birders...>; Catherine Temple > <ctemple99...> > Subject: Re: [inland-NW-birders] Crossbills > > Good question. I've been asking the same question for years. A > well-respected local birder told me I asked the dumbest question. I know > that is not a usual response - but I stopped asking it. Glad you have! > Can't wait for the responses you receive. > Tina > > > > ')> > > > > * > > ________________________________ > From: Inland-nw-birders <inland-nw-birders-bounces...> on > behalf of Catherine Temple via Inland-nw-birders > <inland-nw-birders...> > Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2026 10:41 AM > To: Inland NW birders <Inland-nw-birders...> > Subject: [inland-NW-birders] Crossbills > > Yesterday I saw a pair of red crossbills gathering grit in the road so I > took some lovely photos of them. Later I noticed that each birds bill (a > male and female) curved in a different direction. I know a lot has been said > about the difference in bill size and the different "types" based on the > types of cones they eat. But if the birds are the same species or type > shouldn't the bills curve in the same direction? Or is it common to have > left and right curved bills within the same type? Or is this a difference > between male and female? I'm really curious as this is the first time I've > been able to get close enough to see the differences. I've attached a photo > of the pair. Thanks in advance if you can enlighten me. > Catherine > > > -- > > *Catherine Temple* > > *Pet Portrait and Wildlife Artist* > > *Clarkston, WA.(208) 791-7052* > <ctemple99...> > > https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.catherin > etemple.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C6d9a9d499bb44a0bf06908de72425680%7C84df9e7f > e9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073826398138634%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3 > d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbC > IsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RN%2BZ0eL60RFGKU3xXUHxk9dQnu8vUu6qRrfu > 8DarXyk%3D&reserved=0<http://www.catherinetemple.com/> > https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.c > om%2Fphotos%2Fctemple%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C6d9a9d499bb44a0bf06908de72425680% > 7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073826398164547%7CUnknown%7C > TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFO > IjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=gaDcKvsUKj6%2Br%2BfAcqvM%2Fe > zhjCqVZRv0g6pnBrea1vs%3D&reserved=0<http://www.flickr.com/photos/ctemple/> > _______________________________________________ > Inland-nw-birders mailing list > send email to: <Inland-nw-birders...> manage subscription: > https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmailmanlist > s.us%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Finland-nw-birders&data=05%7C02%7C%7C6d9a9d499bb4 > 4a0bf06908de72425680%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C6390738263 > 98185528%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCI > sIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8T0gKDn > C0tbXAkE0W%2Bx%2BC737JrL8kH6Cuqpc38hSdXo%3D&reserved=0<https://mailmanlists. > us/mailman/listinfo/inland-nw-birders> > _______________________________________________ > Inland-nw-birders mailing list > send email to: <Inland-nw-birders...> manage subscription: > https://mailmanlists.us/mailman/listinfo/inland-nw-birders > > _______________________________________________ > Inland-nw-birders mailing list > send email to: <Inland-nw-birders...> > manage subscription: https://mailmanlists.us/mailman/listinfo/inland-nw-birders
