Chough

This autumn Chris visited Stackpole National Nature Reserve in Pembrokeshire to find out why the coastline there has become a chough stronghold.

More about the species

The chough (pronounced "chuff") is distinguished from other members of the crow family by its red legs and feet and curved red bill.

The Welsh name for these birds, brân goesgoch, literally translates to red-legged crow.

Choughs are agile flyers. Watch out for their graceful and acrobatic displays, diving and tumbling through the air.

They feed primarily on insects and larvae off the ground. They usually mate for life and return to the same breeding sites year after year.

The rarest member of the crow family, they are restricted to very small populations in the west coasts of Britain and so are an Amber List species. There are less than 500 mating pairs in the UK.

Habitat loss is a key threat to this species. Grazed farmland is an important food source with the cowpats providing the birds with insect larvae.

Choughs in Cornwall

Cornish folklore has it that King Arthur turned into this bird when he died and will return to rule again if they ever return there to breed. Choughs were once widespread through Cornwall and feature in the county coat of arms.