Chough

There are two fascinating species of birds known as choughs, both belonging to the genus *Pyrrhocorax* in the Corvidae family: the red-billed chough and the Alpine chough. These birds are distinguished by their striking black feathers and brightly colored legs, feet, and bills.

Choughs inhabit the mountainous regions of southern Eurasia and North Africa. One of the most captivating aspects of these birds is their impressive aerial displays. They form monogamous pairs and typically nest in caves or cliff crevices. Their diet consists of a mix of invertebrates and plant material.

The history of choughs in scientific literature dates back to Linnaeus, who first described both species. The genus *Pyrrhocorax* is closely related to the crow genus, *Corvus*. Interestingly, the white-winged chough found in Australia is not a true chough but belongs to a different bird family altogether.

Choughs are quintessential mountain dwellers, breeding at high altitudes and often returning to the same breeding sites year after year. The red-billed and Alpine choughs can be distinguished by their bill colors and specific calls.

For nesting, choughs prefer ledges or caves and typically lay between three to five eggs. They are highly loyal to their partners, demonstrating significant fidelity. In summer, their diet is mainly composed of invertebrates, but in winter, they switch to plant matter or even human-provided food. Their main predators include birds of prey and common ravens. Additionally, choughs are known to host various parasites, including specific bird fleas.

Despite some small and isolated populations, both the red-billed and Alpine choughs are currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. However, they do face threats from habitat loss and climate change.