Corvus corax

Raven - most widely distributed of all corvids yet I tend to see very few close up. The nearest I have got so far with a camera are those flying high! It is the largest of all ravens and averages 25 inches in length. Ravens are among the smartest of all birds, gaining a reputation for solving ever more complicated problems. They have a croaking call which is mostly heard first before actually seeing the bird which is an acrobatic flyer and can actually fly upside down! I identify these birds in flight by their antic, croaking and diamond shaped tail. These were flying over my garden in Greaghnafarna Co. Leitrim.