The crossbill is a variety of finch that includes at least 3-5 species. They are specialist feeders. Their bills cross instead of lining straight up, giving them their common name. Their crossed bills allow them to get at the seeds in pinecones. They exist in the higher northern hemisphere latitudes where their food source grows. The crossbill breeds very early in the year, during the winter months to take advantage of the plentiful cone supply. The crossed bill allows the birds to pry cones open and extract the seeds with their tongues.