Flight Call


The flight call is the most frequent vocalization in the repertoire of red crossbills (and most other cardueline finches). This call is also known as the "contact call", "chip note", and "chipping." Many field guides describe it as "kip-kip-kip" or "jip-jip."

This is the call heard most often from crossbills in flight. Flight calls usually eminate constantly from flocks in flight. Perched birds (especially ones readying to fly) also give this call.


These are Type 5 flight calls.

Individual crossbills have distinctive "signature" calls. This has been shown by keeping individuals over varying time spans (hours to years) and periodically recording and analyzing the calls. Individuals within species differ measurably from each other in call structure. Even more variation is found between species (see the diagnosis page).

Rare individuals are "bilingual", meaning that they give two versions of the flight call. The two versions in bilingual birds are still within the range of structural variation found within a single "type". Birds are not observed giving flight calls of more than one type. In these cases, one call is usually a "fancy" (embellished with unique fine structural features) version that the bird shares with its mate. Like other carduelines, crossbills are highly monogamous and mates share a signature call developed through vocal copying.