Crebain

Crebain is a species of enormous crows that originally surfaced in Utumno and are native to Dunland and Fangorn Forest and served as spies for Sauron and his servants.

Crebain is the plural form of ‘Creban’ which is Sindarin for ‘crow’. Sindarin is generally recognized as ‘Elven’ or ‘Elvish’ and as a language that has been adopted from Indo-European Languages, particularly variations of Proto-Germanic terms. ‘Crebain’ Is the presumed form of students of Sindarin and there are several alternative forms including ‘Croban’ and ‘Creban’.

Crebain was bred from Crows by Lord Sauron in the Early Age. They were originally employed to lure elves into caverns who were then seized and taken into his domain. They also served the purpose of conveying messages between Sauron and those who he intended to enslave, the Kings of Dubh Dwarves. Crebain was also employed to transport messages across the Misty Mountains for the Mountain Orcs.

Crebain closely resembles crows and mirrors an ominous, dark shadow cast over the regions. They generally fly in massive gathers and they ensure their presence is felt through loud squawking. They illustrate some semblance of intelligence, which however is not manifested in language because they do not communicate in known tongues. Their presence is usually like a hovering shadow, and they were adopted as spies during the hunt for the ‘One Ring’ where they were ordered by Saruman to seek Frodo Baggins. [1]

1. ^In LotR the 1st, Crebain from Dunland suddenly come to spy.