Species Profile
Red-billed Chough
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Cornish Chough, Cliff Crow
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Appearance
The Red-billed Chough is a striking corvid with glossy black plumage that shimmers with a blue-green sheen in sunlight. Its most distinctive features are its curved, bright red bill and matching red legs, which contrast sharply with its dark feathers.
Both males and females share the same appearance, with no significant differences between the sexes. Juveniles resemble adults but have duller black plumage and orange-red bills and legs that darken to the adult's vibrant red with age.
Identification & Characteristics
Colors
- Primary
- Black
- Secondary
- Red
- Beak
- Red
- Legs
- Red
Markings
Red bill and legs, glossy plumage
Tail: Long and square-ended
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
Red-billed Choughs inhabit coastal cliffs, rocky hillsides, and mountainous regions across Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. They prefer areas with short, grazed grass for foraging and nearby rocky outcrops or old buildings for nesting.
In the UK, they are found mainly in western and northern coastal areas, including Cornwall, Wales, the Isle of Man, and parts of Scotland. Their distribution remains relatively stable throughout the year, with most populations being resident.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
Diet
Red-billed Choughs primarily feed on insects and their larvae, including beetles, flies, and ants. They also consume small crustaceans, spiders, and occasionally seeds.
Their curved bills are perfectly adapted for probing soil and dung for prey, often following grazing animals to find insects.
Behaviour
Red-billed Choughs are highly social birds, often seen in pairs or small flocks. They perform acrobatic aerial displays, rolling and tumbling in the air while calling loudly.
On the ground, they use their curved bills to probe soil and crevices for insects, demonstrating remarkable dexterity in their foraging techniques.
Calls & Sounds
Red-billed Choughs are vocal birds with a distinctive repertoire. Their most common call is a high-pitched, far-carrying 'chee-ow' or 'keeah'.
During flight or social interactions, they produce various chattering and piping sounds. Their calls are often described as more melodious than those of other corvids.
Nesting & Breeding
Red-billed Choughs form monogamous pairs that often bond for life. The breeding season typically begins in April or May. Pairs engage in mutual preening and aerial displays as part of their courtship rituals.
Nests are built in crevices of cliffs, caves, or old buildings. Both partners contribute to constructing the nest using twigs, roots, and sheep's wool. The female lays 3-5 pale blue eggs with brown speckles.
Incubation lasts about 17-21 days, and it is primarily carried out by the female while the male provides food. Chicks fledge after 31-41 days but remain dependent on their parents for several more weeks.
Conservation
While globally listed as Least Concern, Red-billed Choughs face localised threats from habitat loss and changes in agricultural practices.
Conservation efforts in the UK, particularly in Cornwall and Wales, focus on maintaining suitable grazing regimes to preserve their foraging habitats.
Population
Estimated: 809,000 - 1,730,000 mature individuals[2]
Trend: Decreasing[3]
Slight decrease in population, but no concern due to large population
Elevation
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Additional Details
- Egg size:
- 3.5cm x 2.5cm
- Predators:
- Main predators of Red-billed Choughs include Peregrine Falcons, Golden Eagles, and occasionally foxes or rats that may raid nests.
- Alarm calls:
- Repeated 'kya' calls
- Breeding age:
- 2
- Maturity age:
- 2
- Feeding times:
- Morning and late afternoon
- Major threats:
- Habitat loss, climate change, disturbance
- Parental care:
- Females incubate and both parents and feed chicks, sometimes with a helper
- Primary calls:
- High pitched 'chee-ow'
- Social habits:
- Seasonally social, forming large flocks in winter
- Egg appearance:
- Pale blue with brown spots
- Feeding habits:
- Forages on the ground, probing soil with bill
- Breeding season:
- April to July
- Diet variations:
- Seasonal variation based on food availability
- Fledging period:
- 36-41 days
- Average lifespan:
- 11
- Call description:
- High pitched, piercing and distinctive, often given in flight
- Daily activities:
- Active during the day, foraging in morning and late afternoon
- Nesting location:
- Cliff crevices and caves
- Number of broods:
- One
- Incubation period:
- 17-18 days
- Nest construction:
- Built from sticks and lined with wool and grass
- Migration patterns:
- None
- Migratory patterns:
- Non-migratory, but may move to lower altitudes in winter
- Age related changes:
- None
- Prey capture method:
- Probing and picking
- Conservation efforts:
- Habitat protection, reintroduction programs
- Territorial behavior:
- Strongly territorial during breeding season
- Reproductive behavior:
- Monogamous, often with lifelong pair-bond, often returning to same nesting site
- Special dietary needs:
- None known
- Clutch characteristics:
- 3-5 eggs
- Interaction with other species:
- Generally sociable, but can be aggressive towards other species
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Red-billed Choughs along coastal cliffs and mountainous areas
- Listen for their distinctive, high-pitched 'chee-ow' call
- Observe their unique red bill and legs for positive identification
- In the UK, focus on Cornwall, Wales, and parts of Scotland where they are more common
Did You Know?
- Red-billed Choughs can live for over 20 years in captivity.
- They are the national bird of Cornwall and feature on its coat of arms.
- These birds have a remarkable ability to use tools, such as twigs, to extract insects from crevices.
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