chough: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareLiterary / Technical (Ornithology) / Regional
Quick answer
What does “chough” mean?
A black bird of the crow family, typically with a red or yellow beak, known for its loud calls and acrobatic flight.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A black bird of the crow family, typically with a red or yellow beak, known for its loud calls and acrobatic flight.
In heraldry, the chough (often depicted with a red beak and legs) is used as a charge. In a Cornish context, it is a symbolic bird and appears in the county's coat of arms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is primarily known in British English due to the bird's presence in parts of the UK (e.g., Cornwall, Wales). It is virtually unknown in general American English.
Connotations
In the UK, carries regional, often Cornish or coastal, connotations. Can evoke a sense of wild, rugged landscapes.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, but higher in specific UK regional contexts and ornithological writing.
Grammar
How to Use “chough” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] chough [VBD] over the cliff.We spotted a [NUM] choughs.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ornithology, zoology, and environmental science papers discussing specific species or regional biodiversity.
Everyday
Very rarely used in everyday conversation outside of areas where the bird is native or in nature-watching contexts.
Technical
Used precisely to refer to Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (red-billed) or Pyrrhocorax graculus (yellow-billed/Alpine).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chough”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chough”
- Mispronouncing it as /tʃoʊ/ (like 'chow') or /tʃɒf/.
- Using it as a general term for any black bird.
- Misspelling as 'chuff'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a member of the crow family (Corvidae), but it is a distinct genus (Pyrrhocorax) with specific characteristics like its coloured, curved bill.
It is pronounced /tʃʌf/, rhyming with 'rough' and 'tough'.
They are best seen in coastal cliffs and upland areas of Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, and parts of Scotland.
While both are corvids, a chough is larger, has a longer, more curved and brightly coloured (red or yellow) bill, and different leg colour. Jackdaws have a shorter, straighter grey bill and a distinctive pale eye.
A black bird of the crow family, typically with a red or yellow beak, known for its loud calls and acrobatic flight.
Chough is usually literary / technical (ornithology) / regional in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'CHOUGH sounds like CHUFFed (pleased) – you'd be chuffed to see this rare, colourful-billed bird.'
Conceptual Metaphor
The chough can metaphorically represent regional identity (e.g., Cornwall), resilience in harsh environments, or a rare and elusive quality.
Practice
Quiz
In which region is the chough particularly emblematic?