chough

American  

[chuhf] / tʃʌf /

noun

1. any of several crowlike Old World birds, especially Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, of Europe.

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chough British  

/ tʃʌf /

noun

1. a large black passerine bird, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, of parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, with a long downward-curving red bill: family Corvidae (crows)

2. a smaller related bird, Pyrrhocorax graculus, with a shorter yellow bill

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Etymology

Origin of chough

1275–1325; Middle English choghe; akin to Old English cēo, Dutch kauw, Danish kaa

Example Sentences

She found it easier this time, and there was the chough, with her in her own world, perching on a branch that hung low over the pavement.

From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman

It is not to be doubted that the daw was once a builder in trees, like all his relations, with the exception of the cliff-breeding chough.

From Birds and Man by Hudson, W. H. (William Henry)

He hath much land, and fertile: let a beast be lord of beasts, and his crib shall stand at the king's mess; 'tis a chough; but, as I say, spacious in the possession of dirt.

From Hamlet by Shakespeare, William

Nor yet will she be changed into a chough, but will steal from you, chiefly in the night, as is the nature of that thievish bird.

From Gargantua and Pantagruel, Illustrated, Book 3 by Motteux, Peter Anthony

The ascent at first lay through hanging forests, broken here and there by grey crags, the home of the chough and the eagle-owl.

From Wild Spain (Espa?a agreste) Records of Sport with Rifle, Rod, and Gun, Natural History Exploration by Buck, Walter J.