Also known as an Irish Phoenix, the augurey appears to be a small underfed vulture.1 Their feathers repel ink, making the use of an augurey feather by the Hogwarts Book of Admission quite the conundrum.
Superstitions about their association with death have been disproven.2
Rowling, J.K. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Kindle Locations 280-281. © 2001-03-01. Pottermore. American Kindle Edition.↩︎
Rowling, J.K. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Kindle Locations 280-281. © 2001-03-01. Pottermore. American Kindle Edition.↩︎