Yellow-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax graculus

The Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus), also called Yellow-billed Chough iis a Eurasian member of the crow family, Corvidae. It breeds locally in the highest mountains of southern Europe, the Alps, across central Asia and Kashmir.

It is resident throughout its range. A prehistoric subspecies that lived in Europe during the last ice age was described as Pyrrhocorax graculus vetus. It is closely related to the Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) and shares its glossy black plumage and red legs. However, the Alpine Chough’s long curved bill is yellow rather than red.

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)