Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	White-winged Crossbill
Scientific name:	Loxia leucoptera
Date:	8-16-2026
Time:	9:53 AM
Length of time observed:	2 minutes
Number:	2
Age:	Adult and juvenile
Sex:	Female and unknown
Location:	Timpooneke Campground and Trailhead
County:	Utah
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	It was 1/3 to 1/2 mile up the road from the main parking lot, in the direction of the upper campground
Optical equipment:	Nikon Monarch M5 10x42 binoculars and Nikon Coolpix P950 camera
Weather:	Mostly clear skies
Light Conditions:	Full sun, good visibility in the direction on the birds
Description: Size of bird:	Fairly small but not tiny
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Oval and a bit plump
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	Female was yellow-green, juvenile was gray
(Description:) Bill Type:	Large crossed bill
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	The two birds had large, crossed bills and wing bars. The female was yellow-green and the suspected juvenile was gray, and they both had gray-black wings with white wing bars. The suspected juvenile had a streaky breast, a bit like a Pine Siskin. The female's breast had some streaking, but it was not very noticeable compared to the juvenile, partially due to the yellow-green coloration. The birds were small, but not tiny, oval shaped and a bit chunky, with somewhat large heads relative to the body. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	Mechanical typewriter call was heard as they flew off
Behavior:	Looking around and preening
Habitat:	Mountainous pine forest with a stream nearby
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Red Crossbills wouldn't have good-sized white wing bars, and Cassin's or House Finches wouldn't have crossed bills. Also, female Cassin's or House Finches are not yellow-green. American and Lesser Goldfinches have different vocalizations, and don't have crossed bills. Pine and Evening Grosbeaks are bigger and don't have crossed bills. Pine Siskins have thinner and uncrossed bills.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	I have seen White-winged Crossbills one other time in Utah at the Redman Campground in Salt Lake County, and in my home state of Michigan I've seen them 11 times between 2021 and 2026.
References consulted:
Description from:	From memory From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Brian Beauchene
Observer's address:	7667 Grayfield Street Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	8-19-2026
Additional material:	Photos
Additional comments: