Yellow–billed chough: Red Data Book of Armenia

Crows and jays - Corvidae

Status. A rare species of very limited distribution in Armenia. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Least Concern. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Endangered EN D.

Distribution. Mountains of Southern Europe, Northwestern Africa, Asia Minor, Middle East, Central Asia, Western Tibet, Himalayas and the Altai Mts.

Distribution in Armenia. Nestles in scattered sites across the Zangezur Ridge and its branches.

Habitats. Inhabits the rocky areas and their environs in the subalpine and alpine zones. In winter it moves to lower elevations.

Biological traits. Non–migratory or migratory. Nestles in small colonies. Nests are built on hardly accessible cliffs and in canyons. Three to six eggs are laid in May–June. The brooding period is 18–21 days.

Population size and its trends. A very rare species of strictly localised nesting.

Major threats. Unknown, possibly, low numbers.

Conservation measures. Habitats are partly protected in Zangezur Sanctuary and Arevik National Park. Protected in Boghakar Sanctuary. No need for special protection measures.