Alpine Chough Bird Facts (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

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

Resident

Breeding

Non-breeding

Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year

Afghanistan Andorra Austria Azerbaijan Bhutan Bulgaria China Croatia France Greece India Iran Iraq Italy Lebanon Liechtenstein Macedonia Morocco Nepal Pakistan Russia Slovenia Spain Switzerland Turkey

Species that are present in the area during their breeding season

Albania Armenia Bosnia and Herzegovina Georgia Germany Israel Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Montenegro Russia Serbia Tajikistan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Belgium Cyprus Czech Republic Gibraltar Hungary Poland Portugal Slovakia Syria

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Belgium Cyprus Czech Republic Gibraltar Hungary Poland Portugal Slovakia

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 95

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Alpine Chough is exceptionally agile, renowned for its acrobatic aerial displays and daring manoeuvres along cliff faces. Its ability to perform complex flight patterns and navigate challenging mountain terrain demonstrates remarkable agility.

Strength 65

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong for its size, the Alpine Chough possesses adequate strength to carry out its daily activities. Its ability to forage for food in harsh alpine conditions and construct nests on precarious cliff ledges indicates a moderate level of strength.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

The Alpine Chough shows remarkable adaptability, thriving in extreme high-altitude environments. Its ability to adjust its diet seasonally, utilise tools for foraging, and even inhabit areas near human activity (such as ski resorts) showcases its highly adaptive nature.

Aggressiveness 40

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Alpine Choughs are generally not aggressive birds. Their social nature and playful behaviour suggest a relatively low level of aggression. However, they may display some territorial behaviour during breeding season, warranting a moderate rating.

Endurance 85

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Alpine Chough demonstrates impressive endurance, living year-round in harsh alpine conditions. Its ability to survive at extremely high altitudes (up to 8,000 metres) and withstand low oxygen levels indicates exceptional endurance. The bird's capacity for long periods of soaring flight further supports this high endurance rating.

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.

Vocalisation

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 and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern ^[1]

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.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

1,075,000 - 2,535,000 mature individuals ^[2]

Global Population Trend

^[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Yellow-billed Chough

Family:

Corvidae

Average Lifespan

8 to 10 years

Max Lifespan

24.4 years ^[4]

Predators

Main predators include Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and occasionally foxes or martens that may raid nests.

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.