The red-billed chough, and the Alpine or yellow-billed chough constitute the genus Pyrrhocorax and are members of the crow family.
The Red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) has a unique, bright red, curved bill. It earned itself the name 'Cornish chough' because of its close association with the Duchy for several hundred years. The chough's symbolism for Cornwall, England, can be easily found for it features on the coat of arms, proudly sitting on top of the crest flanked by a tin miner and fisherman as a striking reminder of Cornwall’s proud traditions. The chough's Cornish name, Palores, means Digger, a reference no doubt to its habit of digging away at loose soil to find invertebrates. In Wales and Scotland during the 17th Century, where choughs would also have been common, the chough was known as the Crow of Cornwall. Legend has it that the soul of King Arthur departed this world in the form of a chough, its red feet and bill signifying Arthur's violent and bloody end.
The yellow-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus) has a glossy black plumage, a yellow bill, red legs, and distinctive calls. It breeds at high altitude.
