Red-billed Chough
Least ConcernPyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Visual Identification
Red-billed Chough
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.
Size
Length
39cm to 43cm
Wingspan
73cm to 90cm
Weight
280g to 360g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black
Secondary Colour
Red
Beak Colour
Red
Leg Colour
Red
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,000 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Alpine
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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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.
Vocalisation
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.
Lifespan
The Red-billed Chough typically lives for 5 to 7 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 20 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
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.
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
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Cornish Chough, Cliff Crow
Family:
CorvidaePredators
Main predators of Red-billed Choughs include Peregrine Falcons, Golden Eagles, and occasionally foxes or rats that may raid nests.
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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References
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website: BirdLife International. 2016. Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22705916A87384853.
View source - 1
journalArticle, 1938: Flower, Furter notes on the duration of life in animals. IV. Birds, Proc Zool Soc London, Ser. A:195-235