Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax - Chough

The chough, a member of the crow family, is rarely seen in Britain except in Wales. You are most likely to be able to observe the aerobatics of these intriguing birds above high cliffs and occasionally inland over craggy mountain areas. The chough is a resident bird. Pairs of choughs often nest alone on rock ledges, although you may see flocks of twenty or more in the air.

The male and female are similar in appearance. They both have all-black plumage and are much the same size as a jackdaw, with which they are sometimes mistaken when in flight - when the distinctive red legs and beak are often less clearly visible against the bright background of sky.

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