In 2021, the Cassia Crossbill Working Group formed with the mission to conserve and monitor Idaho's only endemic bird: the Cassia Crossbill. This group is formed from members of the Intermountain Bird Observatory, Boise State University, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the US Forest Service, representatives from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and Dr. Craig Benkman from the University of Wyoming. Together we hope to work collaboratively to help preserve this beautiful and unique species of finch.

Cassia Crossbills are a rare bird only found in two mountain ranges in Southern Idaho: the South Hills and Albion Mountains. These crossbills have coevolved with Lodgepole Pine trees in these mountains to forage on the seeds found within the trees' serotinous cones. Large wildfires such as the the 2020 Badger Fire, which is believed to have burned about 25% of the lodgepole habitat in the crossbill range, present a threat to this rare bird's food source. Additionally, consecutive hot days can also create a loss in food source by causing serotinous cones to open prematurely and allowing other animals to now access a once exclusive food source to the Cassia Crossbill.

Wear your Crossbill Crew shirt to become an ambassador for the Cassia Crossbill! Help us spread the word. Proceeds from each shirt will go toward Cassia Crossbill research efforts.

Art on the front and back of these shirts was created by Brittanie Loftin, the Intermountain Bird Observatory's current Cassia Crossbill PhD Student!