What does an Alpine Chough sound like - Bird song - Bird sounds

#birds #birdsounds #fieldrecordings The song of an Alpine chough is surprisingly delicate compared with its striking appearance. It has a clear, high-pitched, flute-like quality, often made up of short whistles, rippling notes and soft, musical calls. You could describe it as: High and silvery, carrying easily across mountain air A mixture of whistling, bubbling and liquid notes Light and melodic, rather than harsh or strident Often a series of quick, tinkling phrases, sometimes with a slightly squeaky or rising quality It can sound almost playful and conversational, particularly when several birds are calling together Species: Alpine chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus), a member of the crow family. It is also known as the yellow-billed chough. Its calls are generally high-pitched, clear and musical, rather than the harsh caw associated with many crows. One of its characteristic calls is a rising, whistling "cheee-ow" or "kee-yow" sound. It also produces short, bubbling or rippling calls, particularly when birds are communicating with one another. Alpine choughs are highly social and often occur in flocks, so you may hear several birds calling together. Their calls can be heard over considerable distances in mountainous terrain and may echo dramatically from cliffs and rock faces. They use vocalisations for contact between flock members, maintaining social cohesion and signalling, as well as during interactions around food and nesting areas. Alpine choughs are found mainly in high mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, including the Alps, Pyrenees and Himalayas. They are remarkably well adapted to high altitudes and can be seen flying around cliffs, alpine meadows and rocky peaks, often at elevations where few other birds live. Habitat Lives in high mountain regions, particularly the Alps, Pyrenees and other mountain ranges of southern Europe and Asia. Typically found around rocky cliffs, peaks, scree slopes and alpine meadows. It can live at exceptionally high altitudes, including areas above 4,000 metres in the Himalayas. In winter, it may move to lower elevations, particularly where food is easier to find. It is well adapted to cold, exposed mountain environments. Food Mainly feeds on insects and other invertebrates, especially during the breeding season. Also eats berries, seeds and other plant material. In autumn and winter, fruit and berries can make up an important part of its diet. It is an opportunistic feeder and will also take food scraps around mountain settlements, ski resorts and tourist areas. Its slender, curved bill is well suited to probing soil and vegetation for food. Nest Usually nests in rock crevices, caves, holes in cliffs and sometimes abandoned buildings. The nest is constructed from twigs, grass, roots and other plant material, with softer materials used as lining. The female typically lays around 3–5 eggs. Breeding takes place during the warmer months, with timing varying according to altitude and location. Alpine choughs generally form long-term pair bonds. Young birds remain dependent on their parents for a period after leaving the nest and may subsequently join larger flocks