Cassia Crossbill
Loxia sinesciuris
Conservation Status
Data DeficientAves · Passeriformes · Fringillidae
About
The Cassia crossbill is a passerine bird in the family Fringillidae. It is endemic to the South Hills and Albion Mountains in southern Idaho. Cassia crossbill rarely interbreeds with other call types that move into the South Hills of Idaho yearly, and can be considered to represent a distinct species via ecological speciation. The Cassia crossbill have specialized beaks to access the seeds of the lodgepole pine cones in this region, but are poorly adapted to other pine cones in surrounding regions.
Fun Fact
Cassia crossbill rarely interbreeds with other call types that move into the South Hills of Idaho yearly, and can be considered to represent a distinct species via ecological speciation.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Found year-round exclusively in the forests of the South Hills and Albion Mountains in South Idaho.
Diet
Eat seeds from cones on the pine tree itself, but fallen cones are also foraged on as well.
Lifespan
To be updated
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance