species pronunciation constitute genus crow family birds red billed alpine yellow billed white winged australia despite member family related black plumage brightly coloured legs feet bills resident mountains southern north_africa long broad wings perform spectacular species pair life display fidelity breeding sites usually caves cliff face build lined stick nest lay eggs feed usually flocks short grassland taking mainly prey supplemented vegetable material food human especially winter changes agricultural practices led local population declines range main threats genus species threatened globally taxonomy member genus described red billed named genus contained species long curved bill short blunt tongue included northern bald birds known completely unrelated alpine described edition crow genus relatives belong considered sufficiently distinctive moved new genus english genus derived flame coloured raven crow originally alternative based similar red billed particularly common cornwall known initially transferring species fossil record pleistocene europe includes form similar alpine extinct subspecies bird prehistoric form red billed generally recognised extant subspecies red billed alpine differ slightly nominate forms greater subspecies diversity red billed species arises early divergence asian geographically isolated races western forms closest relative indicated study molecular phylogeny tailed form clade sister remaining living members genus species differ brightly coloured bills feet smooth scaled short dense nasal feathers uniformly black plumage lacking paler areas seen relatives main hosts specialist normally found australian white winged despite similar shape habits related true example evolution distribution habitat breed mountains morocco spain eastwards southern europe alps western china alpine found crete red billed populations ireland areas species non migratory residents range occasionally wandering neighbouring countries birds mountain specialists red billed use coastal sea cliffs ireland great_britain brittany feeding adjacent short grassland small population coastal red billed typically breeds mountains europe north_africa mountain range reaches metres summer recorded metres altitude alpine breeds europe morocco higher bird species observed following ascending altitude species occur mountains alpine species tends breed higher elevation relative better adapted diet high altitudes description medium sized red billed centimetres length centimetres wingspan alpine averages slightly smaller length wingspan birds black plumage similar readily distinguished members genus brightly coloured bills legs alpine yellow bill red billed long curved red bill species red legs adults sexes similar juvenile species bill legs adult plumage lacks seen older birds physical summarised table distinguishable bill colour flight long broad wings short tail red billed silhouette different slightly smaller yellow billed relative species fly loose deep wing beats frequently use perform displays soaring cliff faces diving rolling tail folded wings red billed loud ringing similar character particularly species contrast alpine calls unlike small subspecies higher frequency calls larger races predicted relationship body size frequency behaviour ecology breeding high partner site fidelity species build nest roots sticks plant stems lined grass fine hair constructed cave similar cliff face man locations like abandoned buildings dams red billed use occupied buildings monasteries colonial suitable habitat pairs nest close proximity species lay normally whitish eggs brown grey female chicks hatch weeks red billed chicks naked chicks higher altitude alpine hatch dense covering chicks fed parents days hatching alpine days red billed alpine lays eggs month later relative breeding success reproductive behaviour similar similarities species presumably arose strong environmental constraints breeding behaviour year survival rate juvenile red billed percent alpine annual adult survival rate alpine unknown red billed feeding summer feed mainly invertebrates beetles fly larvae ants favoured food red billed prey items taken short pasture case coastal populations red billed areas plant growth hindered exposure coastal salt spray poor soils bill pick insects surface dig invertebrates red billed typically thin soils feeding areas dig suitable conditions plant matter eaten red billed fallen grain opportunity arises reported damaging crops breaking heads extract corn alpine rely fruit times year animal prey limited readily supplement winter diet food provided tourist activities mountain regions including ski resorts refuse picnic areas species feed flocks open areas distance breeding cliffs particularly winter feeding trips cover distance altitude alps development skiing enabled alpine remain high levels winter ranges overlap species feed summer limited competition food italian study showed vegetable winter diet red billed exclusively whilst alpine took june red billed fed mainly alpine ate later summer alpine consumed large numbers red billed added fly larvae beetles diet eastern november alpine occur mainly forests feed differing red billed region time year dig food soil villages natural threats predators include falcon golden eagle eagle owl common raven northern spain red billed nest near lesser colonies falcon eats insects provides degree protection larger predators benefits terms higher breeding success red billed occasionally great spotted brood parasite primary host host bird including species specialist parasites recorded include species genera blood parasites found red billed uncommon apparently little harm levels lower groups status species extensive geographical ranges large populations thought approach global population decline criteria declining years generations evaluated concern populations particularly islands small isolated occupied extensive ranges past reaching southerly lower altitude areas present alpine breeding europe far south southern italy decline range continue red billed lost ground europe alpine lost breeding sites east continent red billed extinct islands bred alpine lost archipelago altogether causes decline include loss open human activities construction ski resorts longer term threat comes global warming cause species preferred alpine climate zone shift higher restricted areas locally disappear entirely red billed breeds lower levels affected human activity declines away main alpine breeding areas seen vulnerable europe spain common recently expanded range country nesting old buildings areas close traditional mountain breeding sites culture information red billed mainly mountain species limited interactions humans red billed coastal population far west range cultural connections particularly cornwall appears coat arms legend county says king arthur die transformed red billed killing bird red billed reputed thief small objects houses including burning wood candles use set fire roofs high altitude species limited contact humans development mountain tourism activities alpine little cultural significance featured wild mountain habitat catalogue bird catalogue piano piece written des alpine opening piece book work group referred list collective
Chough