Subject: Red Crossbill
Date: Mar 30 20:56:38 2001
From: Dougnpip at aol.com - Dougnpip at aol.com


Hi All,
About 5:00 p.m. today I noticed a lone, orangish bird feeding on
the ground with some Pine Siskins. I ID the bird as a juvenile, male Red
Crossbill, but what really held my attention, however, was the fact it was
"puffed" up, much like sickly Pine Siskins I have seen. It also appeared
sluggish, and I eventually picked up the bird as it made a feeble attempt to
fly away. It seemed healthy, no eye problems and its plumage seemed clean
and bright. I then placed it on a low tree branch where it made a sloppy,
short flight to another branch. Has anyone else seen crossbills with health
problems like this?
Best regards,
Doug Watkins
dougnpip at aol.com
Bainbridge Is, Wa