chough

/tʃʌf/

Thân thiện

A red-legged chough perches on a rocky cliff overlooking the sea.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A European corvine bird of small or medium size with red legs and glossy black plumage: A "chough" is a type of bird belonging to the crow family (Corvidae), characterized by its entirely black, shiny feathers and distinctive bright red or orange-red legs and beak.

Usage

• The word "chough" is a specific ornithological term. It is used to refer to this particular type of bird, most commonly in British and European contexts. It is a countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • We were lucky to spot a chough nesting on the coastal cliffs.
  • The red-billed chough is a protected species in many parts of Europe.

Advanced Usage

• "Alpine chough": A specific species () found in high mountains, distinguished by a yellow beak.
  • The Alpine chough is often seen near ski resorts.
• "Red-billed chough": A specific species () with a long, curved red beak.
  • The red-billed chough's call is a distinctive "chee-ow".

Variants and Related Words

• Corvid (n): A member of the bird family Corvidae, which includes crows, ravens, jays, and magpies.
  • Choughs, like ravens, are highly intelligent corvids.

Synonyms

• There are no direct common synonyms for this specific bird. General related terms include:
  • Corvine bird: A bird of the crow family.

Related Phrases

• As rare as a chough: An idiom (though very rare and regional) implying something is uncommon or seldom seen, referencing the bird's localized populations.
  • Finding a parking spot here is as rare as a chough.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "chough" refers exclusively to birds of the genus . It should not be confused with other black birds like crows or ravens, which have black legs and beaks. The red legs and beak are its defining features.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a European corvine bird of small or medium size with red legs and glossy black plumage