How to Enter Your Observations of Red Crossbill Types

Undoubtingly the most complex and confusing avian species in North America is the Red Crossbill. It wasn't in till 2011 when we started scratching the surface of the species. Several things were noticed in the crossbills across the continent, they all had different calls, beak shapes and trees they ate from. In the evaluation, 11 call "types" were described and in 2017, one of the call types was evaluated to the species status. Now, why am I'm explaining this when you can read the articles written by Matt Young and Tim Spahr on ebird? Because iNaturalist is breaking down the species to subspecies and not call types and I want to clear the confusion to those that will be identifying mine and other crossbill photos or audios.

Here's a brief rundown on Red Crossbill types and subspecies, according to the most recent revision by Matt Young.

Appalachian Crossbill (Type 1)
Taxonomy: Might be the type specimen of L. c. pusilla but has been often referred to L. c. neogaea (this subspecies is not in iNat). However it seems this call type needs a new name that hasn't been formally described yet.

Ponderosa Pine Crossbill (Type 2)
Taxonomy: Most appropriately placed with L. c. benti (Rocky Mountain Crossbill on iNat) but may also be L. c. bendirei (Bendire's Crossbill).

Western Hemlock Crossbill (Type 3)
Taxonomy: Likely L. c. minor (Lesser Crossbill) but Type 10 also falls into this subspecies category so a new subspecies may be described.

Douglas-fir Crossbill (Type 4)
Taxonomy: Unknown but it may be L. c. vividior (this subspecies not on iNat).

Lodgepole Pine Crossbill (Type 5)
Taxonomy: Most appropriately placed with L. c. bendirei (Bendire's Crossbill) but because of its range resemblance to Type 2, it may also be L. c. benti (Rocky Mountain Crossbill).

Sierra Madre Crossbill (Type 6)
Taxonomy: Very likely goes with L. c. stricklandi (Mexican Crossbill).

Enigmatic Crossbill (Type 7)
Taxonomy: Unknown but may be L. c. neogaea (not on iNat) or L. c. pusilla.

Newfoundland Crossbill (Type 8)
Taxonomy: Probably associated with L. c. percna. Also note that some authorities place L. c. pusilla as a synonym of L. c. percna.

Sitka Spruce Crossbill (Type 10)
Taxonomy: Best matches L. c. sitkensis (Sitka Crossbill on iNat) but is similar to Type 1, 3 or 4 and the type probably needs to be studied more.

Central American Crossbill (Type 11)
Taxonomy: L. c. mesamericana

So with all that information in front of you right now, here's how you'll enter your types in iNat if you wish to do so with subspecies.

Call Type Subspecies on iNat
Appalachian Crossbill (Type 1) L. c. pusilla
Ponderosa Pine Crossbill (Type 2) L. c. benti Rocky Mountain Crossbill, L. c. bendirei [Bendire's Crossbill]
Western Hemlock Crossbill (Type 3) L. c. minor [Lesser Crossbill]
Douglas-fir Crossbill (Type 4) Subspecies not on iNat
Lodgepole Pine Crossbill (Type 5) L. c. bendirei Bendire's Crossbill, L. c. benti [Rocky Mountain Crossbill]
Sierra Madre Crossbill (Type 6) L. c. stricklandi [Mexican Crossbill]
Enigmatic Crossbill (Type 7) L. c. pusilla
Newfoundland Crossbill (Type 8) L. c. percna
Sitka Spruce Crossbill (Type 10) L. c. sitkensis
Central American Crossbill (Type 11) L. c. mesamericana

As we continue to learn more information about the crossbill types, I will post more journal entries on them. I will try to be curator for iNaturalist to add the subspecies for Type 4. Hope you enjoyed and good luck looking for crossbills!

Posted on April 24, 2019 04:08 AM by birdwhisperer birdwhisperer

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