CJH Natural
Altitude Expert
Alpine Chough / Alpendohle (Pyrrhocorax graculus)
My first sighting of the awesome Alpine Chough! This was one of a pair that I was pleasantly surprised to see hanging out for a few minutes on the rooftop of the solitary "Grubighütte", situated ~1800m up the at the top of the Grubigstein mountain - just next to the famous 3000m Zugspitze.
Other than their chosen environment, they can be told from other crows by their red legs and slim, downturned bills.
Alpine Choughs are high mountain experts, and are thought to nest at a higher altitude than any other bird. Their eggs are adapted to the thin atmospheres, enabling improved oxygen uptake and reduced water loss. (Wiki)
Altitude Expert
Alpine Chough / Alpendohle (Pyrrhocorax graculus)
My first sighting of the awesome Alpine Chough! This was one of a pair that I was pleasantly surprised to see hanging out for a few minutes on the rooftop of the solitary "Grubighütte", situated ~1800m up the at the top of the Grubigstein mountain - just next to the famous 3000m Zugspitze.
Other than their chosen environment, they can be told from other crows by their red legs and slim, downturned bills.
Alpine Choughs are high mountain experts, and are thought to nest at a higher altitude than any other bird. Their eggs are adapted to the thin atmospheres, enabling improved oxygen uptake and reduced water loss. (Wiki)