While its black plumage identifies it as a crow, the chough (pronounced 'chuff') has a red bill and legs unlike any other member of the crow family. It has a restricted westerly distribution in the British Isles and because of its small population size and historically declining populations it is an Amber List species. It readily displays its mastery of flight with wonderful aerial displays of diving and swooping. Found in flocks in autumn and winter.
Key ID Features:
Jackdaw sized coastal bird appearing a glossy metallic black.
The long red down-curved bill (yellowish-brown in juveniles) is distinctive along with long pinkish-red legs.
A specialist of mountain ravines and coastal cliffs it shows great aerobatic ability when flying on uniformly broad, blunt and deeply fingered wings.
Overview
Scientific name: Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax.
Family: Crows and allies (Corvidae)
Where to see them:
Rocky coasts with short grassland. RSPB reserves at South Stack, Anglesey; Loch Gruinart, Islay; and along the Causeway coast, N Ireland.
Seen in UK:
All year round.
What they eat
Insects and larvae.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Location: Cornwall
Photographer: Tim Tapley
