Red-billed Chough
Scientific name: Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
IUCN listed as: Least Concern
Learn before you visit!
Here are some facts about the species – Discover what they eat, find out about their natural habitat, see what they like to do, and more… Set the reading style to suit you too, everyday speak or something aimed towards children.
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Diet
The Red-billed Chough primarily feeds on invertebrates such as insects, spiders, and earthworms. During the breeding season, they also consume a variety of fruits and seeds to supplement their diet. These birds are known for their acrobatic foraging techniques, often probing the ground with their long, curved bills to extract hidden prey. They sometimes forage in flocks, particularly during the non-breeding season, which increases their efficiency in finding food. Their diet varies depending on the availability of food resources in their habitat.
Red-billed Choughs mostly eat bugs like insects, spiders, and worms. In the spring and summer, they also eat fruits and seeds. They have cool ways of finding food, using their long bills to dig in the ground. They like to eat together in groups, especially when it’s not time to have babies. What they eat can change depending on what’s around them.
Breeding
Red-billed Choughs are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. They usually nest in cliffs, caves, or old buildings, using twigs, roots, and animal hair to construct their nests. The female lays three to five eggs and incubates them for about 18-21 days. Both parents are involved in feeding and caring for the chicks until they fledge, which occurs approximately 38-46 days after hatching. Breeding success is influenced by factors such as food availability and nesting site security.
Red-billed Choughs stay with one partner for life. They build their nests on cliffs, in caves, or in old buildings, using twigs and hair. The mother lays three to five eggs and keeps them warm for about three weeks. Both parents feed the baby birds until they are ready to fly, which takes about five to six weeks. How well the babies do depends on how much food there is and how safe the nest is.
Habitat
The natural habitat of the Red-billed Chough includes coastal cliffs, rocky uplands, and mountainous regions. They prefer open areas with short vegetation where they can easily spot and catch prey. These birds are also found in agricultural lands, especially where livestock grazing creates suitable foraging conditions. Habitat loss and changes in land use are significant threats to their populations. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining and restoring these vital habitats to ensure their survival.
Red-billed Choughs live on coastal cliffs, rocky hills, and in the mountains. They like open areas with short grass where they can find food easily. You can also find them on farms where animals like cows and sheep graze. Losing their homes and changes in the land are big problems for them. People are working to protect and bring back these places to help the birds survive.
At the zoo
In zoos, Red-billed Choughs are kept in aviaries that replicate their natural rocky and grassy habitats. These enclosures provide ample space for flying and foraging, with a variety of substrates and vegetation to explore. Zoos also provide a diet that mimics their natural food sources, including insects, fruits, and seeds. Breeding programs in zoos aim to conserve genetic diversity and educate the public about these fascinating birds. Enrichment activities are essential to keep the birds mentally and physically stimulated.
In zoos, Red-billed Choughs live in big cages that look like their natural homes with rocks and grass. They have lots of space to fly and find food. Zookeepers give them food similar to what they eat in the wild, like bugs, fruits, and seeds. Zoos help them have babies to keep the species healthy and teach people about them. They also give the birds fun activities to keep them busy and happy.
Behaviour
Red-billed Choughs are highly social birds, often seen in pairs or small flocks. They are known for their playful aerial acrobatics, which include loops, rolls, and dives. Communication within the flock is maintained through a variety of calls and vocalisations. These birds are also territorial, especially during the breeding season, defending their nesting sites from intruders. Their behaviour is influenced by environmental factors and the availability of resources.
Red-billed Choughs love to be with other choughs, usually in pairs or small groups. They are famous for their fun flying tricks like loops and dives. They talk to each other with different sounds and calls. During the breeding season, they protect their nests from other birds. How they act depends on their surroundings and how much food they can find.
Fun facts
- Acrobatic Flyers: Red-billed Choughs are known for their impressive flying skills, often performing loops, rolls, and dives in the air.
- Distinctive Calls: They have a wide range of calls, including a distinctive “chee-ow” sound, which they use to communicate with each other.
- Social Birds: These birds are very social and can often be seen in large flocks, especially outside the breeding season.
- Long-lived: Red-billed Choughs can live up to 17 years in the wild, which is relatively long for a bird of their size.
- Cultural Significance: They are featured in various myths and legends across their range, symbolising different cultural meanings.
- Acrobatic Flyers: Red-billed Choughs are amazing flyers and love to do tricks like loops and dives in the sky.
- Distinctive Calls: They make lots of different sounds, including a special “chee-ow” call to talk to each other.
- Social Birds: These birds like to be with their friends and often hang out in big groups when they’re not nesting.
- Long-lived: Red-billed Choughs can live up to 17 years, which is pretty old for a bird their size.
- Cultural Significance: People tell stories and legends about them, giving them special meanings in different cultures.
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