crossbill
noun
cross·bill
ˈkrȯs-ˌbil 
: any of a genus (Loxia of the family Fringillidae) of finches with curved mandibles that cross each other
Examples of crossbill in a Sentence
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During a hike through Robinsons Island, visitors can spot boreal chickadees, red crossbills and yellow warblers flitting along the branches, while the refuge’s many beaches are perfect for spotting shorebirds like the willet and greater yellowlegs.
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Worcester County: Four sandhill cranes on Hall Road in Hardwick and eight red crossbills at gate 43 at Quabbin Reservoir in Hardwick.
—BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
Red crossbills are nomadic in their feeding and nesting habits and a bit harder to locate.
—Tracey Minkin, Southern Living, 12 July 2023
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Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
Worcester County: Four sandhill cranes on Hall Road in Hardwick and eight red crossbills at gate 43 at Quabbin Reservoir in Hardwick.
—BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023
Red crossbills are nomadic in their feeding and nesting habits and a bit harder to locate.
—Tracey Minkin, Southern Living, 12 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for crossbill
Cite this Entry
“Crossbill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossbill. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crossbill
noun
cross·bill
-ˌbil
: any of a genus of finches with the upper and lower parts of the bill curved so that they cross each other when the bill is closed
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