The Newfoundland red crossbill is a member of the crossbill genus which has its crossed bill adapted for prying open the tightly closed spruce or pine cones in order to extract the seeds found abundantly on the island of Newfoundland.

It was thought to be fully endemic to Newfoundland, but breeding has been found on Anticosti island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, administratively part of Quebec.

The adult male is a dull red which is somewhat brighter on the rump, with wings and tail black in color.

The adult female is olive-gray with yellow on the rump and often on the under parts, the wings and tail a dark grayish.

The local name refers to their slow movements while feeding in the spruce tops.