Cornish choughs are very similar to jackdaws, they are small black crows with glossy feathers, the difference being their long red legs and beaks. A real conservation success story, choughs have come back from near extinction and are now successfully breeding, as the national symbol of Cornwall.
Keep at least 50 metres away from coastal birds (if they fly away, this wastes energy that could be spent feeding, they need extra space during high tide). Also keep to main paths when crossing dunes (this also helps dogs and you from having invasive pirri pirri burr attaching to skin, fur, clothes or shoelaces).
They live on short grassland and coastal heaths, and use their long red bills to eat beetle larvae and leatherjackets. They have a loud ‘chee-ow’ song, and are mostly found on cliff faces and rock ledges, but also nest in empty buildings. He’s a good dad, who sticks around to raise the chicks! In fact, he pairs for life with his lady friend, and usually they return to the same breeding site each year.
Like most wildlife, the main threat to Cornish choughs has been modern agriculture practices. But Cornish conservationists have done a wonderful job, increasing the population by 60%, by helping to preserve habitats locally.