Michael Patterson stated -

> As to White-winged Crossbill, they tend to be apline or subalpine. Their
> food preference leans toward true fir cones and they do go for smaller sized
> cone bearing trees, but they are not substatially different in foraging
> strategy than "type 3" Red Crossbills. I have seen "type 3" Red Crossbills
> and White-winged Crossbills in the same Silver Fir in the Central Oregon
> Cascades.

In c. BC., White-wingeds are down in the valley floors right next to the Reds.
Only difference is that the White-wingeds will be on the spruces on one side of
the road while the Reds are in the fire-origin pines on the other side. In NE
BC earlier this week, Reds were in the pines while the White-wingeds were in
the black spruce bogs. Seems that altitudinal differences have more to do with
preferred seed type than anything else. And yes, Type 3 Reds liked the Sitka
spruces when I was on the Charlottes.

- Jack



Jack Bowling
Prince George, BC
jcbowling at mindlink.bc.ca