This book is a must-read, particularly for those interested in crossbills but also for those with a general interest in the feeding ecology of birds.

– Ron Summers, Scottish Birds

Crossbills and Conifers offers birders far more than just a life history of a bird; it uses the Crossbill as a lens through which to explore the major themes of ecology, diversification, and conservation. It’s a rewarding read... Highly recommended.

– John Hague, 10,000 Birds

...evolutionary ecologists and, of course, crossbill enthusiasts will find a lot to enjoy in this comprehensive study.

– Arjan Arenas, BNA Bulletin

A wonderful study and brilliant illustration of how the natural world can be illuminated by evolutionary thinking combined with detailed field observations and ingenious experiments. Darwin would have loved this book.

– Nick Davies, University of Cambridge

In this beautifully written narrative, Craig Benkman takes us on a journey across his decades-long field studies of crossbills and conifers. These studies are among the most fascinating and insightful ever undertaken on how animals and plants form relationships that may not only persist but also diversify over millenia and continents. This is also a very personal book, showing how science advances through a combination of individual dedication and fruitful collaborations with others. It is a sheer joy to read.

– John N Thompson, University of California, Santa Cruz

In this beautifully illustrated and informative book Craig Benkman delves into the life of the remarkable crossbills. This is a book that will captivate curious naturalists and students of ecology and behavior alike. They will see crossbills in a different light and be stimulated to ask penetrating questions of other related species.  

– B. Rosemary Grant, Princeton University