Wildlifeof Bhutan
Red-billed Chough
Crows, Drongos, Orioles & Shrikes
Photo: Hobbyfotowiki · CC0
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly invertebrate prey from short grazed grassland, often in flocks
Habitat
Breeds in caves or crevices on mountains and coastal cliffs
Range
From Ireland and Britain through southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to Central Asia, India and China
Clutch size
3–5 eggs
Incubation period
17–18 days
The red-billed chough is a crow-family bird with glossy black plumage, a long curved red bill, red legs and a loud, ringing call. It pairs for life and is faithful to its breeding site, which is usually a cave or crevice in a cliff face. It is unlikely to be confused with any other bird (Wikipedia, general species account).
Its subspecies breed on mountains and coastal cliffs from western Ireland and Britain east through southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to Central Asia, India and China. It builds a wool-lined stick nest and lays three to five eggs, incubated by the female for 17 to 18 days, and the chicks fledge 31 to 41 days after hatching. It is resident. Bhutan has issued a postage stamp showing it, but the account opened does not describe the bird there.
Quick answers
- What does the Red-billed Chough eat?
- Mainly invertebrate prey from short grazed grassland, often in flocks
- What habitat does the Red-billed Chough live in?
- Breeds in caves or crevices on mountains and coastal cliffs
- Where is the Red-billed Chough found?
- From Ireland and Britain through southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East to Central Asia, India and China
- How many eggs does the Red-billed Chough lay?
- 3–5 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Red-billed Chough incubated?
- 17–18 days