Date: 8/23/25 11:18 am From: Jill Vickers <jvickers...> Subject: Re: [VTBIRD] Red Crossbill Request for Information
Got it thanks
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 23, 2025, at 12:41 PM, Nita <nita.hwf...> wrote:
>
> I had a pair of red Crossbills feeding on cones at the top of a balsam fir
> in Waterbury Center yesterday. I didn't hear any vocalizations.
>
> Nita Hultstrom
>
>> On Fri, Aug 22, 2025, 3:35 PM C <empidonaxdvg...> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I’m writing to follow up on my previous requests for observations of
>> eastern red crossbills feeding on conifers. Late summer-early fall is a
>> great time to look for crossbills, as conifer cone crops are mature and
>> food availability for crossbills is at an all time high.
>>
>> As a reminder, I’m looking for recordings of crossbill calls from the
>> eastern US/Great Lakes with information on the conifers the birds are
>> feeding on. The recordings do not have to be made with any advanced
>> equipment – phone recordings are often sufficient. Pictures of the conifer
>> cones the birds are feeding on are most helpful. However, if you are
>> comfortable with conifer identification, notes on which conifers birds are
>> feeding on are also valuable.
>>
>> Based on contributions from several folks across the eastern US, I’ve
>> accumulated nearly 1,000 records of eastern red crossbills and the conifers
>> they’re feeding on. If you’re interested, I’ve posted a little blurb on my
>> website (https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science) illustrating and
>> describing the preliminary data for type 12, the crossbill I have the most
>> data for and am most interested in for this project.
>>
>> Although there are some intriguing patterns in the data so far, describing
>> the feeding ecology of type 12 and other eastern call types will require
>> *much* more data across many seasons and years. So, if you have crossbills
>> in your area, please consider uploading recordings and conifer information
>> to eBird. I’ve also created an iNaturalist project (link below) where
>> observations can be uploaded. If you don’t use eBird or iNaturalist, please
>> feel free to send me any observations directly.
>>
>> Thanks a ton for considering my request. Please feel free to reach out with
>> any questions! Also, please pass this onto anyone you think might be
>> interested in participating.
>>
>> Good birding,
>>
>> Dr. Cody Porter
>>
>> Holland, MI
>>
>> *iNaturalist project link: *
>>
>> https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/feeding-ecology-of-eastern-red-crossbills >>
>> *Project description link:* https://www.ckporterlab.com/community-science >>
