‘A big part of our family’: Couple nurse injured crow back to health, now he’s their kid’s BFF

Never underestimate a crow. These birds, along with their Corvidae cousins, are considered some of the most intelligent animals on the planet. They can understand complex abstract concepts, are expert problem solvers, and – crucially for this story – can recognize individual humans and form unbreakable bonds with them.

This particular saga began a few years ago in Denmark. Christian Rosenberg was leaving work when he spotted a “sickly and emaciated” crow on the street. Many would simply shrug, walk on, and let nature take its inevitable course.

Not Christian. He tried to find a wildlife rehabilitator who’d take care of it, but was unsuccessful. So, he simply brought the crow home to his partner Lærke Jensen, and the two gradually nursed him back to health. Before too long, they’d named their avian patient Russell (Russell Crowe, get it?), and the healthier he became, the more his loving personality began to shine through.

What they weren’t expecting was that Russell would become best friends with their two-year-old son Otto. As Jensen admitted in an interview with The Dodo: “I didn’t know that crows could be affectionate”.

Part of the family

Bonds were building, but Russell is ultimately a wild animal and belongs in nature. So, doubtless with tears in their eyes, they took their new buddy outside and set him free. Russell now enjoys as rich a life as a crow can expect, but hasn’t forgotten the family that saved his life. As Jensen explains: “He still decided to stay near our house, and he visits us every day. Russell is a big part of our family.”

As proof of that, Russell waits patiently for Otto to return from school each day and then swoops down to hang out with him. This involves the two taking tricycle rides together, then heading inside where they hang out on the sofa together and watch TV.

Hey Pixar, if you’re reading this, I’ve got your next big hit right here. Dreamworks, you’re on notice, too. If you guys want to start a bidding war, then please contact the Jensen family to buy the rights! This cheery and heartwarming saga underlines that man and animal can indeed live peacefully alongside one another and that interspecies bonds, even with wild animals, can be emotionally rich and complex.

So, the next time you see an injured animal, don’t just walk by and feel sad – try your best to get them the care they need. After all, you could be abandoning your newest family member!