My friend Vic and I saw a large flock of these really awesome, unique finches along the Rockingham Co. VA/Pendleton Co. WV Line at Briery Branch Gap today. These birds are uncommon in Virginia and this is one of (if not the very most) reliable spots in the state of Virginia. We counted 18 today, up to 26 have been seen recently.
Their crossed mandibles (upper and lower parts of bills) are unique adaptation so that they can extract seeds from coniferous cones.
 Male Red Crossbills are more brightly colored than the females. |  Notice how different this female Red Crossbill's coloration is. |
Group of males "graveling". These birds are swallowing small bits of gravel that will act as 'teeth' in the gizzard, breaking down the food so that it is more easily digested.
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