Authors : Marco Baietto , Simone Masin , Serena Vaghi and Emilio Padoa-Schioppa
Abstract: During an expedition in Sagarmatha National Park (Khumbu-Nepal), from 6 to 20 April 2002, we observed 10-12 Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) perching on the backs of five Himalayan tahrs (Hemitragus jemlahicus). The choughs were removing hair from the grazing tahrs and flying away with it in their bills. We presumed that because Red-billed Choughs feed on parasites from tahr backs all year round, they may have learned to pick hair for an easy source of nest material during the spring. Moreover, tahrs showed no signs of irritation at this behavior, perhaps because they were shelding.
Marco Baietto , Simone Masin , Serena Vaghi and Emilio Padoa-Schioppa , 2007. Observation of Red-Billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) Removing Fur from Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus). Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2: 89-90.