The RSPB: Chough

Conservation status: Amber

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.

Overview

Latin 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.

When to see them

All year round.

What they eat

Insects and larvae

Population

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	429-497 pairs	-	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

In the UK: Wales, W Scotland, N Ireland and SW England.

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Chough

Chough - in flight

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Audio

Olivier Grosselet, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Chough

Size: between pigeon-mallard
Feather colours: black
Beak colours: orange, red/pink
Beak length: medium
Beak thickness: medium
Beak shape: medium
Leg colour: brown, orange, red
Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground, eats birds/chicks/eggs, eats fruit