Raven
Description: Manx name: Feeagh or Feeagh Vooar.
Raven (Corvus corax)
Ravens in the Isle of Man frequent the hill land and coastal cliffs, where their characteristic croaking calls are instantly recognisable. They are birds of superstition and legend, featuring in Viking mythology with the god Odin, who was accompanied by two ravens. The coat of arms of the Isle of Man includes a raven to the right of a red shield which bears the three legs symbol, faced by a peregrine falcon on the other side.
People in the Isle of Man have an ambivalent relationship with this, the largest species of crow in Europe. On the one hand, the bird is perceived as a symbol of freedom and wild places, as it is rarely found in built-up areas. On the other hand, it is regarded as a pest, especially by sheep farmers, who see it as a potential predator of new born lambs. The extent of the threat posed to sheep by ravens and how to deal with it is a continuing subject of controversy in the Isle of Man.
Date found: 1999-04-24
Taxonomic name: Corvus corax
Collection: Natural History Zoology Collection
ID number: 2001-0045