Chough is a small, glossy black passerine bird in the crow family, noted for its curved bill and bold plumage. The term also appears in heraldry. It’s pronounced with a single syllable, ending in a velar fricative-like sound, and is often challenging for non-native speakers due to its unusual vowel and final consonant sequence. In use, it typically refers to the red-legged chough variety found in Europe, distinct from other corvids by its bright leg color and distinctive call.
Full pronunciation guide
