The Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) is native to the boreal coniferous forests of the Northern Hemisphere. This includes regions in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. In North America, they are found across Canada, the United States, and into Mexico. In Europe, they are present in countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Scotland. In Asia, they inhabit areas like Siberia and the Himalayas.

Red Crossbills primarily inhabit coniferous forests where their primary food source, conifer seeds, is abundant. These forests are typically characterized by cold temperatures, moist conditions, and high elevations. The presence of specific tree species, such as pines, spruce, and firs, is crucial to their survival.

Loxia curvirostra have evolved to exploit their ecological niche as conifer seed specialists. Their unique crossed bill is specifically adapted to extracting seeds from conifer cones, which are their main dietary component. They may also vary in size and shape depending on the subspecies and the dominant conifer type in their specific region.