# 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. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Chough, Yellow-billed Chough ![Alpine Chough](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425956/objects/5854.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Corvidae - **Genus:** Pyrrhocorax ## 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 - **High-Altitude Navigator:** Alpine Chough can expertly navigate thin mountain air because of its strong wings and efficient respiratory system. - **Aerial Acrobat:** Alpine Chough has incredible flight agility that helps them perform spectacular dives and glides in strong mountain winds. - **Clever Forager:** 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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Enjoy watching Alpine Choughs from a safe distance and avoid disturbing their nests. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Alpine Chough? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Alpine Chough? 37-40 cm ### What is Alpine Chough's wingspan? 65-75 cm ### How much does Alpine Chough weigh? 0.19-0.27 kg ### How long does Alpine Chough live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Alpine Chough move? 70 km/h ### What does Alpine Chough eat? An omnivore, it eats insects, berries, seeds, and sometimes food left by people. ### Where is Alpine Chough usually found? Mountain regions ## Where to spot - [Maiella National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/maiella-national-park) — IT · Park - [Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ordesa-y-monte-perdido-national-park) — Aragon, ES · National Park - [Picos de Europa National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/picos-de-europa-national-park) — Spain, ES · National Park - [Apuan Alps Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/apuan-alps-regional-park) — IT · Park - [Babia y Luna Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/babia-y-luna-natural-park) — Castilla y León, ES · Park - [Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gran-sasso-monti-della-laga-national-park) — IT · Park [View all places to see Alpine Chough](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/alpine-chough) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Alpine Chough: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/alpine-chough)