Date: 2/23/26 7:54 am From: Stephen Elston via Inland-nw-birders <inland-nw-birders...> Subject: Re: [inland-NW-birders] Red Crossbill
Very interesting. Thank you Cindy.
I wonder if there has been any divergence from the 1:1 ratio of crossing directions since 1996?
Happy birding to all! Steve
On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 5:21 AM Cindy McCormack via Inland-nw-birders < <inland-nw-birders...> wrote:
> Hi everyone! > This is an excellent question and observation! They are fascinating to see > up close. > > See the paper on exactly this question: > > Benkman, C. W. (1996). Are the ratios of bill crossing morphs in crossbills > the result of frequency-dependent selection? Evolutionary Ecology > 10:119-126. > > You can copy the above into the Google search bar, or the paper is > available for viewing here: > > https://www.academia.edu/28795785/Are_the_ratios_of_bill_crossing_morphs_in_crossbills_the_result_of_frequency_dependent_selection > > > Cindy > > > > *_________________Cindy McCormackVancouver, WAnwbirderatgmailcom* > > > > From: Catherine Temple <ctemple99...> > > To: Inland NW birders <Inland-nw-birders...> > > Cc: > > Bcc: > > Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 10:41:43 -0800 > > 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...> > > > > www.catherinetemple.com > > www.flickr.com/photos/ctemple/ > > > > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: Tina wynecoop <wynecoop...> > > To: Inland NW birders <Inland-nw-birders...>, Catherine > > Temple <ctemple99...> > > Cc: > > Bcc: > > Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2026 01:38:02 +0000 > > 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.catherinetemple.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C6d9a9d499bb44a0bf06908de72425680%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073826398138634%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RN%2BZ0eL60RFGKU3xXUHxk9dQnu8vUu6qRrfu8DarXyk%3D&reserved=0 > > <http://www.catherinetemple.com/> > > > > > https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fctemple%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C6d9a9d499bb44a0bf06908de72425680%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073826398164547%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=gaDcKvsUKj6%2Br%2BfAcqvM%2FezhjCqVZRv0g6pnBrea1vs%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%2Fmailmanlists.us%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Finland-nw-birders&data=05%7C02%7C%7C6d9a9d499bb44a0bf06908de72425680%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639073826398185528%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8T0gKDnC0tbXAkE0W%2Bx%2BC737JrL8kH6Cuqpc38hSdXo%3D&reserved=0 > > <https://mailmanlists.us/mailman/listinfo/inland-nw-birders> > > > > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: <beaharrison...> > > To: "'Tina wynecoop'" <wynecoop...>, "'Inland NW birders'" < > > <Inland-nw-birders...>, "'Catherine Temple'" < > > <ctemple99...> > > Cc: > > Bcc: > > Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 18:39:26 -0800 > > Subject: Re: [inland-NW-birders] Crossbills > > 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 > > < > https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.catherinetemple.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C6d9a9d499bb44a0bf06908de72425680%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%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 > > < > https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flickr.com%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 > > < > https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmailmanlists.us%2Fmailman%2Flistinfo%2Finland-nw-birders&data=05%7C02%7C%7C6d9a9d499bb44a0bf06908de72425680%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 > > > > > > > > > > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: Lindell Haggin <lindell4118...> > > To: Bea Harrison <beaharrison...> > > Cc: Tina and Judge Wynecoop <wynecoop...>, Inland NW birders < > > <Inland-nw-birders...>, Catherine Temple < > <ctemple99...> > > Bcc: > > Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2026 21:29:40 -0800 > > Subject: Re: [inland-NW-birders] Crossbills > > 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 > > > _______________________________________________ > 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
