Species Profile
Alpine Chough
Pyrrhocorax graculus
Alpine Chough close up
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Yellow-billed Chough
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Appearance
The Alpine Chough is a medium-sized corvid with glossy black plumage that shimmers with a blue-green iridescence in sunlight. Its most striking features are its curved, bright yellow bill and vivid red legs, which contrast sharply with its dark body.
Both males and females share identical plumage, although males are slightly larger. There is no seasonal variation in plumage. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller plumage and paler yellow bills, gradually developing adult colouration over their first year.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Beak
- Yellow
- Legs
- Red
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Alpine Choughs are primarily found in mountainous regions across southern Europe and central Asia. They inhabit rocky cliffs, alpine meadows, and high-altitude grasslands, typically above the tree line. Their range includes the Alps, Pyrenees, and other major mountain chains.
While they generally remain at high elevations year-round, some populations may descend to lower altitudes in severe winter conditions. In the UK, they are rare vagrants, occasionally spotted in mountainous areas of Scotland.
Distribution
Diet
Alpine Choughs are omnivorous, and their diet adapts to seasonal availability. In summer, they forage for insects, spiders, and small invertebrates, switching to berries, seeds, and small rodents in winter.
They will travel in flocks to nearby ski resorts and villages in the mountains to scavenge and forage for food before heading back up into the mountains at night to roost. During this, they will often follow walkers in the mountains for scraps. These birds have a particular fondness for sultanas.
Behaviour
Alpine Choughs are highly social birds, often seen in large flocks performing acrobatic aerial displays.
They are known for their playful nature, frequently engaging in aerial games and sliding down snow slopes on their backs. These intelligent birds have also been observed using tools, such as twigs, to probe for insects in tree bark.
Calls & Sounds
The Alpine Chough's call is a distinctive, high-pitched 'preeu' or 'preeaar', often repeated in rapid succession. During flight, they produce a softer, rolling 'krukru' sound.
In social gatherings, various chattering and warbling notes can be heard, creating a lively chorus in their mountain habitats.
Nesting & Breeding
Alpine Choughs form monogamous pairs that often bond for life. Breeding season typically begins in May, with courtship displays involving aerial acrobatics and mutual preening.
Nests are built on cliff ledges or in rock crevices, using a foundation of twigs lined with grass, wool, and hair. Females lay 3-5 pale, speckled eggs in a clutch.
Females incubate the eggs for about 18-21 days. Chicks fledge after 29-31 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks, learning crucial foraging skills.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Alpine Choughs face potential threats from climate change. As temperatures rise, their specialised alpine habitat may shrink, potentially impacting food availability and breeding sites.
Conservation efforts focus on monitoring population trends and protecting high-altitude ecosystems.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for them soaring near mountain peaks and along cliff faces
- Listen for their distinctive high-pitched 'preeu' call echoing in alpine valleys
- Observe ski resorts and mountain huts where they may gather for food scraps
- Watch for their acrobatic flight displays, especially during the breeding season
Did You Know?
- Alpine Choughs have been recorded at altitudes over 8,000 meters on Mount Everest, higher than any other bird species.
- They are known to use snow as a water source, eating it to stay hydrated in their arid mountain habitats.
- These birds have specially adapted haemoglobin that allows them to thrive in low-oxygen, high-altitude environments.
- Alpine Chough eggs have fewer pores than those of lowland species and, therefore, lose less water by evaporation at low atmospheric pressure. This makes it possible for them to lay their eggs at higher altitudes than other birds.
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