Chough

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

39cm. Elegant smallish crow with glossy black plumage, red legs and long, downcurved red bill. Juvenile has shorter, more yellowish bill. In flight shows strikingly long separated primary feathers (‘fingers’).

VOICE

A Jackdaw-like but softer ‘kyaa’.

HABITAT

Mainly found in southern Europe. In Britain exclusively coastal, and found only in western Ireland, Isle of Man, Wales, west Scotland and the tip of south-west Cornwall. Nests in hollows on sea cliffs, forages on coastal fields, grassy clifftops and beaches.

FOOD AND HABITS

Mainly invertebrates, especially worms and other soil-dwelling animals. Sociable, usually seen in small groups. An aerial expert, often ‘plays’ on air currents.

Jackdaw

Corvus monedula

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

33cm. Nape is grey and eye has a very pale iris. In flight, wingbeats are faster and deeper than Carrion Crow’s. Struts as it walks. Flies in flocks almost as densely as pigeons.

VOICE

Calls a metallic high-pitched ‘kya’ and ‘chak’.

HABITAT

Common resident in Britain and much of Europe. Nests in towns, quarries and on sea cliffs, forages in all kinds of open habitat including town streets and on beaches.

FOOD AND HABITS

Feeds on invertebrates, eggs, nestlings and grains. Breeds in tree hollows or on ledges of buildings and cliffs, in pairs or small colonies.

Carrion Crow

Corvus corone

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

47cm. Totally black with a stout bill. Upper leg feathers neatly close-fitting. Juvenile much like adult, but duller.

VOICE

Call a croaking ‘krra-kra-kraa’.

HABITAT

Resident in Britain. A wide variety of habitats, from coast to mountains and towns, throughout western and central Europe.

FOOD AND HABITS

Omnivorous; feeds on carrion, nestlings and eggs, grain and insects. Not colonial. Nest a bulky twig structure high up in tree canopy.

Hooded Crow

Corvus cornix

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

47cm. Same size and build as Carrion Crow, but black restricted to head, breast centre, wings and tail, otherwise dull grey-brown. Individuals with more extensive black are likely to be Hooded x Carrion Crow hybrids – such birds common in areas where both species occur.

VOICE

Harsh caws and croaks.

HABITAT

Occurs over northern and central Europe, and Ireland and north-west Scotland. No special habitat needs, found in woodland, farmland, moor, heath and coast. Nests in trees or on cliff ledges.

FOOD AND HABITS

Very diverse diet of almost anything animal and vegetable. Mainly forages on the ground. Quite gregarious. Quick to mob passing birds of prey.

Raven

Corvus corax

SIZE AND DESCRIPTION

61cm. Largest crow and largest passerine. Heavy head has shaggy throat feathers and a huge bill. In flight shows broad heavily fingered wings, a protruding head and a wedge-shaped tail.

VOICE

Calls deep and croaking ‘korrrk’, ‘klong’ and repetitive ‘korrp korrp korrp’.

HABITAT

Coastal, forest and mountain areas year-round in much of Europe, though largely absent from central Europe. In Britain found only in west and Ireland.

FOOD AND HABITS

Feeds on carrion, as well as small mammals, birds, molluscs and vegetable matter. Builds a bulky nest from twigs in a tree or on a rocky ledge.