Alpine chough

The Alpine Chough: A Mountainous Marvel

Imagine a bird that’s as agile and acrobatic as a mountain climber, with glossy black feathers like polished obsidian and a yellow beak that gleams under the sun. This is the Alpine chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus), a fascinating creature that has captured the hearts of nature enthusiasts worldwide. Have you ever wondered about these unique birds?

A Brief History

The Alpine chough was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1766, who named it Corvus graculus. Later, it was moved to its current genus, Pyrrhocorax, which means ‘flame-coloured raven’ in Greek. There are two extant subspecies: P. g. graculus (Europe, north Africa, Turkey) and P. g. digitatus (mainly in the Himalayas). The Alpine chough’s journey through time is as intriguing as its flight patterns.

Physical Characteristics

The adult Alpine chough has a striking appearance with glossy black plumage, a short yellow bill, dark brown irises, and red legs. It’s slightly smaller than the red-billed chough but boasts a longer tail and shorter wings. Juveniles have duller plumage and a dull yellow bill. Can you imagine how these young birds must look as they grow into their distinctive adult forms?

Nesting Habits

The Alpine chough is known for its unique nesting habits, often using inaccessible rock faces or cavities. Breeding typically starts in early May, with socially monogamous pairs forming during summer and winter. The female incubates the eggs for 14-21 days, while both parents feed the chicks. Young birds fledge after 29-31 days from hatching. High-altitude adaptations enable breeding success, including haemoglobin with high oxygen affinity and fewer pores to reduce water loss.

Behavioral Traits

The Alpine chough’s flight is swift and acrobatic, with loose, deep wing beats. Its high maneuverability is achieved by fanning the tail, folding its wings, and soaring in updrafts at cliff faces. It can be distinguished from the red-billed chough by its less rectangular wings and longer, less square-ended tail. The species follows mountaineers ascending Mount Everest at altitudes of up to 8,200 m. In winter, it congregates around human settlements such as hotels and ski resorts.

Feeding Habits

The Alpine chough’s diet is diverse, with invertebrates collected from pasture in summer and fruit becoming the main food source in autumn, winter, and early spring. Tourist food is taken by choughs in mountain regions, including ski resorts and refuse dumps. Young birds frequent sites with greatest food availability. Foraging areas change altitudinally through the year due to climatic factors and food quality.

Conservation Status

The Alpine chough has an extensive range estimated at 1-10 million square kilometres, with a population of between 260,000 to 620,000 individuals in Europe. The Corsican population has approximately 2,500 birds. The species is not believed to be declining globally and its current evaluation is Least Concern. However, habitat loss due to human activities such as agriculture, tourism, and pesticide use can lead to decline or local extinction.

Threats

Predators of choughs include peregrine falcon, golden eagle, Eurasian eagle-owl, and common raven. Alpine choughs have been observed mobbing Tibetan red foxes. Global warming poses a longer-term threat by shifting the species’ preferred climate zone to higher, more restricted areas or causing local extinctions.

Conclusion

The Alpine chough is a remarkable bird that thrives in mountainous regions across Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas. Despite facing threats from human activities and climate change, it remains a symbol of resilience and adaptability. As we continue to explore and understand these magnificent creatures, let us also strive to protect their habitats for future generations.