North Carolina · Winter visitor

White-winged Crossbills in North Carolina

When white-winged crossbills are present in North Carolina, when they nest, which native North Carolina plants feed them, and how to host them in a USDA 5b–8b yard.

Finches (Fringillidae)White-winged CrossbillLoxia leucoptera

Status in North Carolina: Winter visitor
Nesting window: Does not typically nest here
Hardiness zones: USDA 5b–8b

When to expect white-winged crossbills in North Carolina

In North Carolina, white-winged crossbills are winter visitors rather than breeders. Black-capped Chickadees and other northern birds are confined to the highest mountains; lowlands stay mild.

Mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain differ sharply — cool, snowy highlands to mild, humid coast.

Native North Carolina plants that attract white-winged crossbills

Of the regional native plants we track for North Carolina, these 4 provide food or cover white-winged crossbills use:

Eastern red cedar

Juniperus virginiana · Tree

Winter food and cover.

Loblolly pine

Pinus taeda · Tree

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

Eastern white pine

Pinus strobus · Tree

Seed-rich cones and year-round shelter.

Eastern hemlock

Tsuga canadensis · Tree

Small cones for siskins and chickadees; dense winter roosting.

Feeding white-winged crossbills through the North Carolina year

Top foods: Hulled sunflower, Black-oil sunflower.
In North Carolina's winter: Black-capped Chickadees and other northern birds are confined to the highest mountains; lowlands stay mild.

Full diet breakdown for white-winged crossbills · Best feeder for white-winged crossbills

Frequently asked

Are white-winged crossbills in North Carolina year-round?

No. White-winged Crossbills are winter visitors in North Carolina and do not typically nest there.

What native plants attract white-winged crossbills in North Carolina?

Eastern red cedar, Loblolly pine, Eastern white pine, Eastern hemlock are native plants in North Carolina that provide food or cover for white-winged crossbills.

Other backyard birds in North Carolina

Northern Cardinal Eastern Bluebird Black-capped Chickadee 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 Baltimore Oriole Orchard Oriole Rose-breasted Grosbeak Pine Siskin Indigo Bunting Painted 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 White-crowned Sparrow Fox Sparrow Eurasian Collared-Dove American Crow Common Raven 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 Red Crossbill 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 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.