These finches, like the Red Crossbill, have a distinct beak that crosses over. They have red heads and plumages with black wings.
They have striking white tips on their wings. To court a female, males will perch in high places and sing a mating song, sometimes this song will be performed in groups.
When a female approaches a male, they will nip at each other’s beaks before the male starts feeding the female and the courtship is solidified.
Males will protect the female whilst she is nesting and, unlike lots of other finch species, the males will take care of the young whilst females seek another partner.
White-winged Crossbills have been seen across the whole state of Colorado. They can only be seen year-round in the very north western regions of the state.
As for the rest of the state they are only seen outside of the breeding seasons, mainly in early winter.
You will be very lucky to see one of these birds in your garden but placing seed feeders in there will increase your chances. They particularly like to eat tamarack and fir seeds.