noun
common crossbill; red crossbill
A small finch with a distinctive crossed bill, used for extracting seeds from conifer cones. The Japanese name イスカ is the standard term for Loxia curvirostra.
イスカは松ぼっくりの種を食べる。
The crossbill eats pine cone seeds.
冬になるとイスカの群れが見られる。
In winter, flocks of crossbills can be seen.
The Japanese name イスカ is of uncertain origin. It may be related to the bird's call or an old Japanese word, but the exact derivation is unclear.