Alabama · Winter visitor

Red Crossbills in Alabama

When red crossbills are present in Alabama, when they nest, which native Alabama plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 7a–9a yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)Red CrossbillLoxia curvirostra

Status in Alabama: Winter visitor
Nesting window: Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones: USDA 7a–9a

When to expect red crossbills in Alabama

In Alabama, red crossbills are winter visitors rather than breeders. Freezes are short and snow is rare; feeder traffic peaks as goldfinches, siskins and sparrows arrive from the north.

Humid subtropical, with Gulf-influenced warmth in Mobile and Baldwin counties and cooler Appalachian foothills in the northeast.

Native Alabama plants that attract red crossbills

Of the regional native plants we track for Alabama, these 3 provide food or cover red crossbills use:

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.

Loblolly pine

Pinus taeda · Tree

Pine seed and bark insects; key habitat for Brown-headed Nuthatch.

Eastern hemlock

Tsuga canadensis · Tree

Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting.

Feeding red crossbills through the Alabama year

Top foods: Black-oil sunflower, Hulled sunflower.
In Alabama's winter: Freezes are short and snow is rare; feeder traffic peaks as goldfinches, siskins and sparrows arrive from the north.

Full diet breakdown for red crossbills · Best feeder for red crossbills

Frequently asked

Are red crossbills in Alabama year-round?

No. Red Crossbills are winter visitors in Alabama and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract red crossbills in Alabama?

Eastern red cedar, Loblolly pine, Eastern hemlock are native plants in Alabama that provide food or cover for red crossbills.

Other backyard birds in Alabama

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Carolina Chickadee Purple Martin Downy Woodpecker Hairy Woodpecker American Goldfinch Tufted Titmouse White-breasted Nuthatch House Wren Blue Jay House Finch Purple Finch Ruby-throated Hummingbird Carolina Wren Mourning Dove American Robin Dark-eyed Junco White-throated Sparrow Song Sparrow Chipping Sparrow Red-bellied Woodpecker Northern Flicker Pileated Woodpecker Red-headed Woodpecker Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Red-breasted Nuthatch Brown-headed Nuthatch Brown Creeper Common Grackle Red-winged Blackbird Orchard Oriole Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Eastern Towhee Gray Catbird Northern Mockingbird Brown Thrasher Cedar Waxwing Tree Swallow Barn Swallow Eastern Phoebe Chimney Swift Yellow-rumped Warbler Pine Warbler Eastern Screech-Owl Wood Thrush Great Crested Flycatcher Eastern Kingbird House Sparrow European Starling Rufous Hummingbird White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Eurasian Collared-Dove American Crow Cooper's Hawk Sharp-shinned Hawk Red-tailed Hawk Barred Owl Great Horned Owl American Kestrel Wood Duck Wild Turkey Northern Bobwhite Mallard Great Blue Heron Belted Kingfisher Scarlet Tanager Eastern Meadowlark Brown-headed Cowbird Ruby-crowned Kinglet Golden-crowned Kinglet Hermit Thrush Winter Wren Field Sparrow Gray Catbird Lark Sparrow Hooded Merganser Yellow Warbler Common Yellowthroat American Redstart Black-and-white Warbler Yellow-throated Warbler Prothonotary Warbler Ovenbird Yellow-breasted Chat Orange-crowned Warbler Palm Warbler Red-eyed Vireo Warbling Vireo White-eyed Vireo Eastern Wood-Pewee Cliff Swallow Northern Rough-winged Swallow Bank Swallow Common Nighthawk Eastern Whip-poor-will Canada Goose American Coot Killdeer Spotted Sandpiper American Woodcock Green Heron Great Egret Black-crowned Night Heron Turkey Vulture Black Vulture Osprey Bald Eagle Red-shouldered Hawk Merlin Peregrine Falcon Northern Saw-whet Owl Barn Owl Red-cockaded Woodpecker Savannah Sparrow Swamp Sparrow Vesper Sparrow Horned Lark Blue Grosbeak White-winged Crossbill Brown-headed Nuthatch Yellow-billed Cuckoo Brewer's Blackbird Rusty Blackbird Boat-tailed Grackle Rock Pigeon

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.