ExploreBird

Alpine Chough

Pyrrhocorax graculus

Alpine Choughs are clever black birds that live in the high mountains. They are excellent fliers and can do tricks in the air. These birds are very social and like to play with each other.

Habitat: Mountain regions

Appearance

The Alpine Chough is a sleek, medium-sized bird with glossy black feathers. It is distinguished by its bright yellow beak and vibrant red legs, which contrast sharply with its dark plumage.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPasseriformesFamilyCorvidaeGenusPyrrhocorax

Alpine Chough

Interesting facts

Alpine Choughs can survive in incredibly thin mountain air, even at altitudes over 8,000 meters!

Their unique call, often sounding like "chee-ow," gives them their "chough" name.

These clever birds can learn to recognize individual humans and even beg for food!

They often gather in large, noisy flocks, especially during the non-breeding season.

Special abilities

Alpine Chough can expertly navigate thin mountain air because of its strong wings and efficient respiratory system.

Alpine Chough has incredible flight agility that helps them perform spectacular dives and glides in strong mountain winds.

Alpine Chough can find diverse food sources because of its intelligence and adaptability to various alpine environments.

Measurements & details

Length: 37-40 cm
Wingspan: 65-75 cm
Weight: 0.19-0.27 kg
Lifespan: 6-10 years
Top Speed: 70 km/h
Clutch Size: 3-6
Incubation: 18-21 days

Diet & Feeding

An omnivore, it eats insects, berries, seeds, and sometimes food left by people.

Primary Foods

insects
larvae
berries
seeds
spiders
human food scraps

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

A major avian predator in mountain habitats.

hunts

Mountain Grasshopper

Podisma pedestris

A common insect prey in its alpine range.

eats

Bilberry

Vaccinium myrtillus

Relies on its fruit for food in late summer.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Feathered

These are animals covered in soft, beautiful feathers that help them fly, stay warm, and even attract mates! Think of all the amazing birds you know.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Tool Use

Discover amazing animals that cleverly use objects from their environment to help them find food, build homes, or protect themselves. They're nature's clever inventors!