The Raven is a black-blue glossy coloured bird. It gets its food by scavenging. Its cry sounds like it is coughing. It grows to about 64cm/2ft. Once they mate they must live together. Ravens can live as long as 60years or over. Ravens are the largest of the crow family. Their scientific name is corvus corax. The Irish name for Raven is  fiach dubh. They live only in the Northern Hemisphere. There are not as many Ravens as there used to be in Ireland. They may be scavengers but they also hunt vermin, bugs, frogs and 
small birds. Ravens hate people so they nest in cliff-line coasts and mountain areas. Their thick heavy bills and wedge shaped tails make them easily recognized.
INTERESTING FACTS
Ravens are intelligent and very sociable birds that can be taught to talk.
It is said Ravens attack and kill sickly or wounded sheep or lambs but this is very unusual.
By: Patrick Carlyle