Grey Ravens

"They don't live in cities? But almost all birds their size live somewhere around the Cities, I mean, why wouldn't they? There's so much free food! Unless you believe the old myths...oh. You do believe the old myths."

-Perplexed ornithology student

Grey ravens, despite having periodically been spotted in groups of exactly nine birds at a time (no one knows why nine is always the number, but zoologists speculate it must have something to do with their magical instincts), are fairly solitary birds. Though not common in the Outer Realm, they are not common in the Cities either, and instead can be found periodically throughout the deep conifer forests of the Inner Realm. They fly often in search of their food - likely insects, rodents, berries and nuts - and many suspect they can go as long as three days gliding without needing to stop for a rest.
This fantastic endurance is only one of their skills. The ravens are most likely able to forecast weather patterns, and are still sometimes thought to be able to sense magical danger. This is what makes them so adept at navigating the perils of the conifer forests, as despite their six foot wingspan, they are smaller than many other animals, even in the Inner Realm. They are also uncannily skilled at mimicking sounds, have a keen sense for shiny things, and are extraordinarily skilled at building extensive nests on short notice.
Interestingly enough, these nests are also recorded to glow faintly in the moonlight. Whatever causes this, why it is needed, and whether or not Skydwellers can harvest abandoned grey raven nests for practical purposes are all questions that have not yet been answered, but not for lack of trying. The birds are simply very elusive and very difficult to track. Many birdwatchers and ornithologists alike, however, are constantly hoping to catch a glimpse of the reclusive creatures.
The feathers of the ravens, molted often and always a dark gray in color, are also highly sought after, because they function not unlike grounddweller pencils, and save people the trouble of having to fashion quills. Funnily enough, some of the quills don't need to be treated with special solutions and powders for dragons to use them, but their rarity has sadly made them luxury products rather than useful everyday tools.

Blue Ravens

Of course, not all the grey ravens are grey. And not all of them are shy. Every once in a while, one of these ravens, smoky blue in color, will develop an affinity to a Skydweller, most often a dragon, and decide to follow them around. Although grey ravens are sometimes taken as bad omens, befriending a blue raven is generally considered good - so long as they give you the right gifts. They'll drop feathers, coins, small bits of food, rare flowers, and other tidbits for you. But if they start to drop dead mice, you should probably start watching your back.