— CROWS (Corvidae) —
MAGPIE (Pica pica) - Pie bavarde
A common species of wooded gardens and urban parks, field edges and small woodlands. It is a familiar feature of rural life and many myths and folk tales surround it. It has a complex vocabulary, some of which is explained here, but its most easily recognised call is a harsh staccato chattering:
JAY (Garrulus glandarius) - Geai des chênes
Jays are noisy messy birds, tumbling around in woodlands and forests. They make a wide variety of sounds, can mimic other species, but the most defining call is a raucous squawk:
SPOTTED NUTCRACKER (Nucifraga caryocatactes) - Cassenoix moucheté
A fascinating bird of mountain forests, which has a close relationship with a particular pine tree. It makes a wide variety of sounds but the most commonly heard is a harsh rasping:
ALPINE CHOUGH (Pyrrhocorax graculus) Chocard à bec jaune
A black “crow” with bright yellow beak and red feet this bird is unmistakable in the high alps. Often seen scavenging around restaurants, refuges and picnic spots.
JACKDAW (Corvus monedula) Choucas des tours
A fairly common bird of forest edge, agricultural areas, towns and villages. The smallest of the European Crows, compact, active, with a blue eye and grey behind the head. The call is a sharp, rather high-pitched explosive “kiew”
CARRION CROW (Corvus corone) Cornelle noire
A common bird of woodlands, forest edge and agricultural areas. Black with a pointed black beak, makes a wide range of sounds but is most noted for its harsh “cawing” calls:
RAVEN (Corvus corax) - Grand corbeau
The heavy-duty crow of the high mountains. Bigger than a Buzzard with heavy flight and a deep croak: