The Alpine Chough, sometimes called the Yellow-billed Chough, is a highly sociable bird inhabiting mountainous regions throughout Europe and Asia.
Famous for their acrobatic flying skills, Alpine Choughs can often be spotted performing aerial stunts and engaging in games of catch with their peers. They soar at various altitudes, from close to the ground to high in the sky, and are capable of traveling long distances in one flight.
As scavengers, these birds play a vital role in maintaining equilibrium within their mountain ecosystems by consuming dead animals and assisting in disease prevention.
Medium-sized birds with glossy black feathers and a unique yellow beak, Alpine Choughs can easily be identified by their often loud and melodious calls.
The species has a wide distribution, ranging from Europe's Pyrenees to Asia's Himalayas, with some populations also present in the mountains of North Africa. The Alpine Chough has a lengthy history of coexistence with humans and has featured in ancient cave art and heraldry.
Typically constructing their nests in rock face crevices or hollows, often within colonies, they also roost together in large groups during nighttime.
Alpine Chough breeding pairs tend to form long-lasting bonds and mate for life. They fiercely defend their nesting territories, driving away potential rivals. Young birds remain with their parents for several months before becoming self-sufficient.
With an omnivorous diet consisting of insects, seeds, fruits, and carrion—often alongside fellow scavengers like vultures—these birds are non-migratory. However, they may undergo seasonal movements to track food sources or evade harsh weather conditions. Typically forming monogamous pairs, both parents share responsibility for incubating eggs and feeding their offspring.
Thriving in high-altitude habitats above 2,000 meters elevation, the Alpine Chough is commonly found in Nepalese mountainous regions like the Himalayas, Annapurna Conservation Area, and Sagarmatha National Park. Keep an eye out for their distinct black plumage and yellow beaks, and listen for high-pitched "chee-ow" or "chee-ee-ow" calls.
Males and females are visually indistinguishable due to their sexual monomorphism. However, behaviorally, males are usually more vocal and territorial during mating season.
The Alpine Chough resembles the Yellow-billed Chough, also native to mountainous regions. Yet the former has a shorter, thicker beak without the characteristic yellow hue.
In Nepal, the best time to observe these birds is between April and September. Look for them on the ground as they forage or perched on rocks while listening for their distinct calls.
Classified as a species of "Least Concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Alpine Chough is not currently in danger of extinction. In Nepal, it inhabits alpine regions above 3,000 meters, often near rocky formations and mountain streams.