Image via Macaulay Library
Hispaniolan Crossbill
- Scientific name
- Loxia megaplaga
- Family
- Fringillidae
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable
- Habitat
- Forest coniferous
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Notched
Where it came from
The Hispaniolan Crossbill is a specialized avian species endemic to the pine forests of Hispaniola, primarily within the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Evolutionarily distinct from its North American relatives, the species was historically adapted to the unique ecological niche provided by the Hispaniolan pine, with its signature crossed mandibles serving as a precise tool for extracting seeds from dense pine cones.
First formally described by science in the early 20th century, the bird reflects a long-term evolutionary process of isolation in Caribbean mountain ranges. Ornithological study has long emphasized its role as a key indicator species for the health of high-altitude tropical coniferous forests, though habitat loss and fragmentation have rendered it a subject of significant conservation concern among researchers who study island biogeography.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Hispaniolan Crossbill
Hispaniolan Crossbill is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Hispaniolan Crossbill on collecto.rs?
Hispaniolan Crossbill doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Hispaniolan Crossbill?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Hispaniolan Crossbill catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Hispaniolan Crossbill is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
