Alpine Chough

Pyrrhocorax graculus

Soaring high in mountain air, this clever corvid makes its home among Europe's highest peaks.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

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.

Size

Length

36cm to 39cm

Wingspan

75cm to 85cm

Weight

190g to 250g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Red

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Alpine Chough can be found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Alpine Chough is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

Elevation Range

1,260 to 5,000 meters

Climate zones

Alpine, Subalpine

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Alpine Chough. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons