Eeek!
Cross between an owl and a Triceratops 
fuckin superb - esp. the ocelotspray and the dodo
Obviously related but are they the same as the ones found down near Land’s End?
No, yours will have red bills, Alpine Choughs have yellow bills.
But yes, closely related.
Lots of birders visiting the local common over the last few days after several sightings of a Richard’s Pipit (not my photos)
You live in the Alsace and I want my €5.
I like Pipits but this could have literally tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘hi I’m a Richard’s Pipit’ and I’d have been none the wiser 
Presumably a Catholic school?
St Thomas Becket references might explain it.
Yes it was/is
Just googled
“St. Thomas Becket is associated with choughs because a legend says a crow transformed into a chough after witnessing Becket’s murder. Choughs are also featured on Becket’s coat of arms and on the coat of arms of Canterbury”
I never knew that 
Always wondered
I am sure you are right and that is the reason
It’s bird based and he’s commented on it = of course he’s right 